Masked Hunter (Nymph)

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in and around human habitations, including basements, attics, and barns, often in dusty or neglected areas.

Diet & Feeding

Strictly carnivorous; they prey on other small arthropods including bed bugs, silverfish, lacewings, and earwigs.

Behavior Patterns

Notable for its 'masking' behavior where the nymph covers its body with dust, lint, and debris to camouflage itself from both prey and predators. They are nocturnal hunters.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by acting as a biological control for household pests like bed bugs. However, they can deliver a very painful bite to humans if handled or threatened, though they do not transmit diseases.

Identified on: 4/16/2026