White-tipped Assassin Bug

Natural Habitat

Found primarily in wooded areas, often under loose tree bark (especially pine and oak) or in leaf litter throughout the Southeastern United States.

Diet & Feeding

Predatory carnivore. They use their specialized beak (rostrum) to ambush and eat other insects, including beetles and caterpillars.

Behavior Patterns

Mainly nocturnal hunters that hide in tight spaces during the day. They use camouflage and stealth to approach prey before injecting paralyzing saliva containing digestive enzymes.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial to the ecosystem as natural pest control. While not aggressive toward humans, they can deliver a very painful bite if handled or provoked, though the bite is not medically significant.

Identified on: 1/12/2026