Assassin Bugs & allies
What are they?
'Assassin Bugs' is a great name for a bunch of insects and the name comes from the predatory nature of most species in this group, which are voracious predators of other invertebrates. This is a large and very diverse group of insects and many species can be found during the summer months, hanging out around flowering plants and waiting for a meal. Even in the nymph stage, these insects are active feeders - and having the nymphs as well as adults around just adds to the confusion of insects to be identified! Assassin bugs typically have small heads relative to their body size and a careful check will usually reveal a long, needle-like set of mouth parts, with which they stab their victims and extract fluids. They vary in size from tiny, inconspicuous little creatures to the Wheel Bug, one of our largest true bugs.
Identification
Some of the smaller species can be hard to find and difficult to identify but a number of larger species are quite distinctive. Overall color and body markings, details of leg structure and wing and leg markings can all be important for identification. As with other Hemipteran bugs, assassin bugs go through their immature stages as nymphs, which generally (though not always) resemble smaller versions of the adults but without wings.
Green Assassin Bug Zelus luridus
A small, bright green assassin bug, the wingless nymphs having something of the look of a bush-cricket about them - but note the classic assassin bug head, small and narrow. A distinctive species that may be found throughout the summer months.
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Pselliopus assassins
Medium-sized assassins, readily told by the bold, black-and-white banded pattern on the legs and antennae at all ages. Two similar species occur in our area, Pselliopus barberi and Pselliopus cinctus.
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Sinea assassins
Medium-sized assassins which are generally mottled brownish and have varying arrangements of spiny bumps, the arrangement of which can help to identify the species and gives them the name of Spiny Assassin Bugs.
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Wheel Bug Arilus cristatus
A common and conspicuous assassin bug and one of our largest species when adult, reaching nearly an inch and a half in length. Young nymphs have bright red abdomens and are often found in nursery clusters. Adults have a reputation for giving a painful bite, but they are not aggressive if handled gently.
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Bee Assassin Bug Apiomerus crassipes
A distinctively-colored, chunky species, found throughout the summer. Usually found lurking around flowers.
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beetle prey |
Thread-legged Bug Empicoris rubromaculatus
The Thread-legged Bugs form a distinct subfamily - the Emesinae - within the assassin bugs. They are a distinct group of slender insects that resemble small walkingstick insects or some of the larger winter gnats. They are mostly terrestrial feeders, hunting prey on the ground or in basements and other sheltered locations. They often scavenge prey from spider webs. The predatory front legs distinguish them from other, similar species.
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predatory front legs |