Bug Identifier
Masked hunter (dead nymph)
Community identification

Masked hunter (dead nymph)

Reduvius personatus

Order & Family
Hemiptera; Reduviidae (assassin bugs)
Size
Adults are about 17–22 mm long; nymphs are smaller and often covered with dust or debris.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Dry, sheltered places in buildings, including wall voids, basements, attics, and behind furniture; also found outdoors under bark and debris.

Diet & Feeding

A predatory insect that pierces and sucks juices from flies, cockroaches, bed bugs, and other arthropods.

Behavior Patterns

Nymphs camouflage themselves by collecting dust and lint, while adults are winged and mostly nocturnal. The pictured specimen appears dead or crushed, making identification less certain.

Risks & Benefits

Generally beneficial because it consumes household pests. It can deliver a painful defensive bite if handled, but it is not considered medically dangerous.