Red Assassin Bug (Nymph)
Scientific Name: Pselliopus spp.
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Reduviidae
Size: Nymphs (pictured) are typically 5 to 15 mm, while adults reach approximately 20 mm.
Natural Habitat
Found in gardens, woodlands, and on various vegetation including shrubs and flowers.
Diet & Feeding
Predatory insect that feeds on other insects such as aphids, caterpillars, and beetles by piercing them with a rostrum.
Behavior Patterns
Diurnal ambush predators that use their front legs to grasp prey. This bright red coloration is aposematic, warning predators of their ability to bite.
Risks & Benefits
Beneficial to ecosystems as a natural pest control; however, they can deliver a painful (though not medically significant) bite to humans if handled.
Identified on: 3/24/2026