Assassin Bug Nymph
Scientific Name: Reduviidae (nymph)
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Reduviidae
Size: Nymphs vary in size depending on their instar, but generally range from a few millimeters up to 1-2 cm as they grow. Adults can range from 1 to 4 cm depending on the species.
Natural Habitat
Assassin bugs are found in a wide range of habitats globally, including gardens, agricultural fields, forests, and other terrestrial environments. They often hide in foliage or on tree bark, waiting for prey.
Diet & Feeding
Predatory; they feed on a variety of other insects, including flies, caterpillars, aphids, and even other bugs. Their diet makes them beneficial in pest control.
Behavior Patterns
Assassin bugs are generally solitary hunters, ambushing or actively stalking their prey. They use their strong raptorial forelegs to grasp prey and their rostrum to inject paralyzing and liquefying saliva. Many species are nocturnal, but some are active during the day. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis, meaning they hatch from eggs as nymphs that resemble smaller versions of the adults, molting several times before reaching maturity.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks to humans include a painful bite if mishandled or threatened; however, their venom is not typically medically significant to humans. They are beneficial insects due to their predatory nature, helping to control populations of various garden and agricultural pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Identified on: 9/1/2025