Community identification
Masked Hunter (nymph stage)
Reduvius personatus
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera / Reduviidae
- Size
- 16 to 22 mm as adults; nymphs are smaller depending on instar stage.
Natural Habitat
Indoors in human dwellings, around basements and attics, as well as outdoors in protected areas.
Diet & Feeding
Predatory insect that feeds on other arthropods including bed bugs, carpet beetles, woodlice, and earwigs.
Behavior Patterns
The nymph stage covers itself in dust, lint, and debris to camouflage itself while hunting prey. It is primarily nocturnal and shy.
Risks & Benefits
Benefit includes being a natural predator of household pests like bed bugs. Risk is a painful defensive bite if handled carelessly, though they do not feed on human blood.