The bee assassin, Apiomerus pilipes, is an insect that feeds on bees. It is found in South America

South America

South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...

 and reported from Venezuela, Colombia, French Guyana, and Brazil. Like other members of the genus, females of this species have well-developed hind abdominal foliaceous appendages which can be coated with plant-derived resin.

This species has been documented to prey upon meliponine bees (stingless bees), including Melipona compressipes and Melipona seminigra. Usually the bee assassin kills the prey species quickly (within 6–8 seconds).