Community identification
Masked Hunter (Nymph phase)
Reduvius personatus
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Reduviidae
- Size
- 17 to 22 mm (adults), nymphs are smaller
Natural Habitat
Found indoors in dark corners, basements, or outdoors in rocky areas and rodent burrows.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous predator of other insects including bed bugs, flies, and carpet beetles.
Behavior Patterns
Nymphs cover themselves with dust and debris for camouflage. They are nocturnal hunters and hemimetabolous.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits include natural pest control of bed bugs. Risk includes a very painful defensive bite to humans if handled, though they do not transmit disease.