As our community continues to recover from recent storms, find helpful resources and information at tiny.cc/ufsaraext_disasterprep, tiny.cc/saraco_disasterprep, and scgov.net/government/emergency-services/storm.

This blog is part of a multi-part series. To meet other members of “The Spooky Bug Brigade,” visit our blog’s landing page.

Assassin Bugs (Reduviidae)

Description

Aptly named, these bugs stealthily creep up on their prey before piercing them with their sharp, beak-like mouthparts, known as a “rostrum.” Then, they inject a potent venom that liquefies their insides. Brutal. Well, you might guess what happens next. They slurp up the liquid meat through their rostrum and then wander off as if nothing happened.

Assassin bugs are one of the “true bugs,” belonging to the insect order Hemiptera, among the commonly encountered cicadas, aphids, and stinkbugs. However, what sets them apart from many other true bugs is their keen predatory instinct and feeding habits. They typically range in size from 0.5 to 1.5 inches in length. Their body is relatively robust when compared to their narrow head, which sports long, thin antennae. They tend to be thicker toward the middle of their abdomen. Coloration will vary by species, but many have bright accents of orange, green, or red.

There are many species of assassin bugs in Florida, but two of note are the North American wheel bug (Arilus cristatus), pictured above, and the striking orange and black milkweed assassin bug (Zelus longipes), pictured below. Be cautious of getting close to some of these bugs, like the wheel bug, as they can pierce your flesh! Talk about horror…

Services

These beneficial bugs help keep pests in the garden under control. While they may not fully wipe out every pest (after all, they do need a regular food supply), they can keep them at manageable levels where the harm they cause to plants is negligible. Some of the pests they eat include aphids, beetles, stinkbugs, flies, and caterpillars. However, like other predatory arthropods, they are generalist feeders, meaning that the occasional “good” bug may get caught up in the mayhem.

Habitat

Assassin bugs are almost everywhere, lying in wait to ambush unsuspecting prey. They are most frequently found in grassy areas, on trees or other plants in the landscape, or in human structures, such as barns.

Fun Fact

To deter predators, assassin bugs can spray their venom up to a foot away! Watch them in action in the video below.

Find more interesting facts about these stealthy assassins by clicking here.

Resources

• UF/IFAS Featured Creatures: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/
• UF/IFAS Insect ID Lab: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/insectid/
• IPM Florida: https://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/
• UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Chemicals in the Environment: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/natural-resources/chemicals-in-the-environment/

Credits

• Featured image: Cristina Carrizosa, UF/IFAS
• Photos: Credited in caption
• Graphics: Designed in Canva

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