The family name Reduviidae means “hangnail” and probably refers to their bent rostrum.
They are relatively easy to identify as they have a skinny neck, small head and conspicuous proboscis or rostrum.
Adult size: 20 mm
Out and about
As they are predatory, assassin bugs will be about when their food source, namely other insects, are also around. They like warmer climates and in cooler areas the adults will over winter and emerge again in the spring. They are found in the tropical east coast of Australia.
Reproduction and Life cycle
The female does not need to have her eggs fertilised but if she does mate it is in the warmer months. She lays a cluster of upright, vase-shaped, brownish-orange eggs, and dies soon after. The male will guard the eggs until they hatch. The nymphs go through a number of wingless stages, becoming more like the adult with each moult.
In cooler climates the adults will lay dormant over winter.
To deter
To control
Plants to repel
Plants to attract
Alfalfa / Carrot / Oleander
Predators
Why they are Beneficial
Assassin bugs feed on many different insects and spiders, and will even cannibalize if there are not enough other insects about to prey on.
Both adults and nymphs are voracious predators, but unfortunately they are indiscriminate hunters so they will get a few good bugs as well as many pests. They ambush their prey and then with their piercing proboscis they stab and inject saliva, causing the insides to turn to liquid which they then suck up.
