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Sep 14, 2023 · Assassin bugs are a fascinating group of insects that belong to the family Reduviidae. With over 7,000 species worldwide, these bugs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of assassin bugs, exploring their unique characteristics, life cycle, anatomy, behavior, habitat, and distribution.
- Assassin Bug Profile
- Interesting Assassin Bug Facts
- Assassin Bug Fact-File Summary
The word “bug” gets thrown around with reckless abandon in the non-entomology world, but it does have a true meaning in zoology: a true bug is from the order Hemiptera and is characterised by its piercing mouthparts and often shield-shaped body. Most bugs are plant suckers like aphids, but some feed on blood, such as bedbugs. Then there’s the famil...
1. They’re biters
All bugs bite one thing or another, but almost all predatory bugs live in the water, which makes assassin bugs unusual still. As bugs, these are real suckers. A long, rigid proboscis hides under the insect’s head, ready to unfold and impale unsuspecting prey. In most cases, this is a caterpillar or a small beetle, but sometimes it’s the young of a rival species!
2. Their proboscis is sheathed
Once they’re done slaughtering their enemies, that formidable piercing lance returns to its folded position, like a flick knife, under the head of the bug. It’s protected by a stiff sheath that not only keeps it sharp but also helps it talk.
3. They can use it to sing
Assassin bugs are capable of stridulation. This is a form of noise-based communication that can be accomplished by rubbing two stiff bits of insect together. Crickets, cicadas, and even longhorn beetles make sound this way, and as it happens, so do assassin bugs. While most insects use stridulation as a loving call to a potential mate, this would be uncharacteristic of a warrior race like the assassin bugs; instead, it seems to be primarily a defence sound and is thought to occur as a result...
Scientific Classification
1. “The Wheel Bug”, College of Agriculture Food and Environment. 2. Andrew A. Walker, “Melt With This Kiss: Paralyzing and Liquefying Venom of The Assassin Bug Pristhesancus plagipennis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)”, Science Direct. 3. “Parasites – American Trypanosomiasis (also known as Chagas Disease)”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 4. John H. Klotz (2010), “Kissing Bugs”: Potential Disease Vectors and Cause of Anaphylaxis”, Oxford Academic. 5. “Feather-legged assassin bug”, Pictur...
- Grasslands, forests and more
- Worldwide
- 6-10 months
- Up to about 3.3cm (1.5 inch)
Oct 24, 2022 · Wash the bite with antibacterial soap to lower the risk of it becoming infected. If the bite starts to itch, apply calamine lotion for relief. Apply a wash cloth soaked in oatmeal to the area for 15 mins at a time for more itch relief. Apply ice for swelling. Take Benadryl once you are aware of a possible bite.
Nov 29, 2022 · Yes, the assassin bugs are highly venomous insects. The Disulphide-rich peptide neurotoxin released by the assassin bugs is a potent liquifying agent that lets them feed easily using their proboscis. Biochemical analysis of the venom has shown that it is composed of numerous complex components: Triabin-like protein,
Apr 20, 2023 · A bug is a kind of insect in the Hemiptera order, also called “true bugs.” This category includes over 80,000 species. Many diverse insects are considered bugs, such as cicadas, aphids, bed bugs, and others. They can range from .04 inches to 6 inches in size. They share some common features, such as an external carapace rather than an ...
Jun 14, 2024 · There are over 160 species of assassin bugs in North America, most of which survive the winter as adults in sheltered locations. Important species in Maryland: Spined assassin bug, wheel bug, elongate assassin bug. Life stage(s) that feed on pests: Nymphs and adult. Assassin bug nymphs. Photo: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org
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Jun 27, 2023 · An assassin bug spears its victim, injects lethal venom or digestive juices to kill it, and then sucks on the prey to feed. These bugs also use this beak to defend themselves from predators. These ...
