Reduviidae

Definition

A large, cosmopolitan family of predatory true bugs in the suborder Heteroptera (order Hemiptera), commonly known as assassin bugs. Most species are terrestrial ambush predators characterized by a narrow neck, sturdy body, and curved, piercing proboscis used to subdue prey. The family includes the subfamily Triatominae (kissing bugs or cone-headed bugs), several species of which are blood-feeding ectoparasites of vertebrates and vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Other notable subfamilies include Phymatinae (ambush bugs) and Emesinae (thread-legged bugs).

Etymology

From the type genus Reduvius (Latin reduvius, 'restored' or 'returned') + -idae (family suffix).

Example

The wheel bug Arilus cristatus (subfamily Harpactorinae) is a common North American reduviid that preys on caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects, while Triatoma infestans (subfamily Triatominae) is a major vector of Chagas disease in South America.

Synonyms

• assassin bugs (common name, includes most subfamilies)
• kissing bugs (restricted to Triatominae)

Related Terms

• Heteroptera
• Hemiptera
• Triatominae
• Cimicomorpha
• Ambush bug
• wheel bug
• Proboscis
• true bug
• Chagas disease
• predatory bug

Usage Notes

When used as a family name, Reduviidae is treated as plural in formal taxonomic contexts (e.g., 'Reduviidae are characterized by...'). The common name 'assassin bug' applies broadly to most reduviids but is sometimes restricted to the subfamily Reduviinae; 'kissing bug' specifically refers to blood-feeding Triatominae. Large reduviids can deliver painful defensive stabs with their proboscis and should be handled cautiously.