Species

Assassin bugs belong to the family Reduviidae and the subfamily Harpactocorinae.

Identification

Life Cycle

Assassin bugs lay their eggs during the warmer months between May and October on leaves or in the soil. The eggs resemble brown barrels and are found standing in tight, upright clusters. The eggs hatch in the spring time in the nymph stage. Nymphs look very similar to adults except that they have yet to develop wings. Nymphs go through five instars, or short development stages, where they shed their exoskeleton in order to grow. During these instars, which can last up to three months, assassin bug nymphs develop wings and become adults. They will live as adults for another 6-12 months.

Prey

Assassin bugs are considered generalist predators that prey on a variety of insects and the blood of mammals.

Caterpillars
Aphids
Leafhoppers
Beetle eggs and larvae
Other small insects

Function

Assassin bugs are known to both seek out and sit and wait for their prey. They will spend most of their time hunting on and feeding on the leaves of trees and bushes. If there is not an adequate food supply they will move to other plants or gardens. Once they have located their prey they will grab hold of them with their strong forearms and use the beak of their mouth to pierce its body. They then inject a small amount of poison into the prey which both paralyzes it as well as liquefies its internal muscles and organs. The assassin bug will then suck the liquefied insides into its body through its beak, leaving only the exterior shell of its prey behind.

Commercial Availability

Assassin bugs are not currently commercially available for purchase.

Cultivation Techniques

Assassin bugs are prevalent throughout western United States and Canada. They enjoy places with lots of foliage on which they lay their eggs and live and hunt as adults. There also needs to be a variety of prey available for them to feed on otherwise they will move on to areas with better food supplies. Having healthy soil and healthy full foliage plants is the best way to attract assassin bugs and other beneficial insects to your garden.

References

Flint, Mary Louise, and Steve H. Dreistadt. Natural Enemies Handbook: The Illustrated Guide to
Biological Pest Control. Berkeley: UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the University of California Press, 1998.

Mahr, Susan. "Know Your Friends- Assassin Bugs and Ambush Bugs." 1996. Midwest Biological Control News.
University of Wisconsin, Madison. 8 Oct 2008. < http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/mbcn/kyf305.html>.

"Natural Enemies Gallery: Assassin Bugs—UC IPM." 2004. The University of California.
8 Oct 2008. < http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/assassin_bugs.html>.

Newton, Blake. "Assassin Bugs and Ambush Bugs of Kentucky." 2006. University of Kentucky Department of Entomology.
8 Oct 2008. < http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/bugs/assassin/assassin.htm>.