You don’t earn a name like assassin bug for being subtle. With it’s stealthy bite and a dagger-like beak, this bug means business. And it’s not afraid to wear its victims like a backpack!
What’s an Assassin Bug?
Part of the Reduviidae family, assassin bugs are stealthy predators that pierce other insects with their rostrum (a sharp, straw-like mouthpart) and inject them with enzymes that liquefy their insides. Then they suck the bug-goo out like a smoothie. Gross? Yes. Effective? Absolutely.
Fun Fact: Some Wear the Dead
Certain species, like the masked hunter (Reduvius personatus), decorate their backs with dust or the remains of previous victims as camouflage. One could say it’s goth or could be horrifying…but I think we all agree it’s pretty awesome either way!
Where to Spot Them
You’ll find them in gardens, forests, or even indoors, hunting other bugs. The masked hunter is known to wander into houses, though it’s not aggressive to humans (unless provoked).
Why They’re Cool
They’re efficient, calculated killers. But they also aid in controlling pest populations, making them the helpful grim reapers of the garden world.