Masked Hunter (Nymph)

Natural Habitat

Commonly found indoors in dry areas like basements, attics, and between floorboards; also found outdoors in trees and shrubs.

Diet & Feeding

Strictly carnivorous; feeds on other small arthropods including bed bugs, carpet beetles, silverfish, and earwigs.

Behavior Patterns

As a nymph, it covers its body with dust, dirt, and debris (lint) for camouflage. It is primarily nocturnal and a sit-and-wait predator.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by acting as a natural pest control for household insects (like bed bugs). Potential risk includes a very painful defensive bite to humans if handled or provoked, though they are not medically significant or aggressive.

Identified on: 3/6/2026