Masked Hunter Nymph (or similar Assassin Bug Nymph)
Scientific Name: Reduvius personatus
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Reduviidae
Size: Nymphs usually range from 4-12 mm, growing larger until adulthood (adults are approx. 17-22 mm).
Natural Habitat
Often found indoors in dusty corners, attics, or under furniture. Outdoors, they inhabit dry places like woodpiles or barns.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous predator. They feed on other household arthropods such as bed bugs, earwigs, silverfish, and spiders.
Behavior Patterns
The most distinguishing behavior of the nymph is 'camouflaging' itself. It has sticky hairs on its body that pick up lint, dust, sand, and other debris from its environment. This creates a dust bunny disguise to protect it from predators and help it ambush prey.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits: They act as natural pest control by eating other household pests. Risks: If handled or threatened, they can inflict a painful bite, though it is not medically significant and they do not transmit diseases.
Identified on: 3/5/2026