Emesinae

Distinguished from other Reduviidae by their exceptionally slender, thread-like body form and habit of walking on mid and hind legs with raptorial front legs held forward. Some groups can be recognized by association with spider webs or specific microhabitats such as palm fronds, cliffs, and caves. Cave-dwelling species (e.g., Collartida) may be blind and wingless or exhibit reduced eyes and wing polymorphism.

Conspicuously slender body form that distinguishes them from other reduviid subfamilies. Very long, thin legs; the front pair is modified as raptorial appendages for prey capture while the mid and hind legs are used for walking. Body typically elongated and thread-like. Some species exhibit aposematic coloration.

Diverse habitats including palm fronds, cliffs, spider webbing, caves, and forest floors. Many species are attracted to lights at night and can be collected by blacklight. Some are obligately cavernicolous, particularly in the tribe Collartidini. High Andean species exhibit small range distributions with altitudinal segregation.

Cosmopolitan in distribution but most abundant in the tropics. Center of diversity is Africa, which contains the only species of the most plesiomorphic tribe (Collartidini). The derived tribe Deliastini is restricted to South America. The tribe Metapterini has worldwide distribution but majority of diversity confined to tropical islands. Recorded from Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Canary Islands, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Colombia, and Belize.

Adult records in temperate regions extend from September to March for some species; activity patterns vary by region and habitat. Many species are nocturnal and attracted to lights.

Predatory; some groups specialize on spiders as prey. Specific prey preferences vary among tribes and genera.

Nymphs have been observed in November and December for some North American species; small nymphs found during these months. Detailed life cycle information is sparse for most species.

Stalking predators that actively hunt prey. Walk on mid and hind legs while holding raptorial front legs forward for prey capture. Some species are associated with spider webs, either as microhabitat or for predation on spiders. Nocturnal activity common; many species attracted to lights. Gregarious feeding has been observed in some species. Parental care has been dubiously reported in one species but requires confirmation.

Predators in various ecosystems including forests, caves, and tropical islands. Some species may contribute to natural pest control in agricultural settings near their habitats.

Generally harmless to humans; not known as disease vectors. Some species may be collected for scientific study due to their unusual morphology and cave-adapted forms. Taxonomic interest due to disputed phylogenetic status.

• SaicinaeMolecular phylogenetic analyses suggest Emesinae may be polyphyletic with respect to Saicinae, indicating potential close relationship or paraphyly of current classification.
• VisayanocorinaeSimilarly implicated in molecular analyses as potentially nested within Emesinae, challenging current subfamily boundaries.
• Other Reduviidae subfamiliesEmesinae are conspicuously more slender with distinct raptorial front leg use compared to the generally more robust forms of Harpactorinae, Ectrichodiinae, and other reduviid subfamilies.

• assassin bugs
• predatory insects
• cave-dwelling
• tropical diversity
• taxonomic uncertainty

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• A pair of pretty assassins: Assassin bugs, Reduviidae, in the rainforest — Bug of the Week
• Millipede assassin bug | Beetles In The Bush
• Reduviidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 2
• A new cavernicolous assassin bug from the Canary Islands (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae: Collartidini)
• The thread-legged bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae) of Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands
• First record of the thread-legged assassin bug Myiophanes greeni Distant, 1903 (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae) from India
• Small range distributions in the high Andes: two new species of Liaghinella (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae) from Colombia
• A new species of Hornylia Wygodzinsky (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Reduviidae, Emesinae) from Thailand
• A Review on the Nomenclature and Taxonomy of the Old World Thread-Legged Bug Genus Pleias (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae).
• First record of Buninotus Maldonado Capriles and B.palikur Castro-Huertas, Forero & Melo from Brazil, with taxonomic notes (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Emesinae) and an updated key to the genera of Saicini of the New World.