Masked Hunter (Nymph Stage)
Scientific Name: Reduvius personatus
Order & Family: Hemiptera/Reduviidae
Size: Nymphs are 5 to 15 mm; adults reach 20 mm
Natural Habitat
Commonly found inside buildings, homes, and crevices where dust accumulates
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; feeds on lace bugs, bed bugs, flies, and other small arthropods
Behavior Patterns
Nymphs exhibit 'masking' camouflage by covering their bodies with dust, lint, and debris to stalk prey; primarily nocturnal
Risks & Benefits
Beneficial as a natural predator of indoor pests like bed bugs, but can deliver a painful (though not toxic) bite to humans if handled
Identified on: 2/6/2026