Bug Identifier
Masked Hunter Nymph (Camouflaged)
Community identification

Masked Hunter Nymph (Camouflaged)

Reduvius personatus

Order & Family
Hemiptera (True Bugs) / Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs)
Size
Nymphs: 4mm to 19mm (depending on instar and camouflage layer)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in dry, dusty areas like corners, basements, or attics; outdoors under sheltered rocks or woodpiles

Diet & Feeding

Predatory; feeds on other small arthropods including bed bugs, earwigs, carpet beetles, and woodlice

Behavior Patterns

The nymph is famous for its 'masking' behavior, where it covers its sticky body with dust, lint, sand, and debris from its environment to camouflage itself from both prey and predators.

Risks & Benefits

Generally beneficial as they eat household pests. However, they can inflict a very painful bite if handled or threatened, though the bite is not medically significant.