Masked Hunter Nymph
Scientific Name: Reduvius personatus
Order & Family: Hemiptera: Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs)
Size: Nymphs vary by instar but generally range from 4 to 12 mm; adults are approximately 17-22 mm.
Natural Habitat
Typically found indoors in dusty corners, attics, and crawlspaces, but they originate outdoors in litter or under rocks.
Diet & Feeding
They are predators that consume other insects like bed bugs, silverfish, and flies.
Behavior Patterns
Nymphs camouflage themselves by secreting a sticky substance that collects dust, sand, and debris, earning them the nickname 'dust balls' or 'walking dust.' They are stealth hunters that ambush their prey.
Risks & Benefits
Generally beneficial as they eat household pests. However, if handled or threatened, they can inflict a very painful bite, though it is not medically dangerous or venomous to humans.
Identified on: 2/24/2026