Reduviinae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Cimicomorpha
Family: Reduviidae
Subfamily: Reduviinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Reduviinae: /rɛˈduːviɪˌniː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Reduvius personatus01 by wikipedia. Used under a Attribution license.

Staubwanze Reduvius personatus 1 by Holger Krisp. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Masked hunter (Reduvius personatus) nymph, Middle Franconia, Germany - 20110820-04 by Masked_hunter_(Reduvius_personatus)_nymph,_Middle_Franconia,_Germany_-_20110820-02.jpg: Drahkrub.
derivative work: Chumwa (talk). Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Reduvius personatus nymph with Polistes wasp 01 by Syrio. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Masked hunter (Reduvius personatus) nymph, Middle Franconia, Germany - 20110820-03 by Masked_hunter_(Reduvius_personatus)_nymph,_Middle_Franconia,_Germany_-_20110820-01.jpg: Drahkrub.
derivative work: Chumwa (talk). Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Reduvius personatus nymph with Polistes wasp 02 by Syrio. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Reduviinae is a subfamily of assassin bugs characterized by diverse habitats and generally poor knowledge of their lifecycles. They are predatory, nocturnal, and often predate on bed bugs and other similar insects.

Physical Characteristics

Size ranges from 8 to 22 mm, characterized by no quadrate cell in corium, antennal segments not subdivided, a transverse constriction at or before the middle of the pronotum, a non-furcate scutellum, an arcuate rostrum, and antennae that do not distinctly project from the side of the head.

Identification Tips

Look for the distinctive body shape and lack of certain cell structures in the corium and pronotum; specific genera and species may also be identified by their unique coloration and markings.

Habitat

Occupies various habitats including deserts in the southwest US and more montane regions. Some species are synanthropic (associated with humans), such as Reduvius personatus.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution; in North America, most species are found in the southwestern regions. The species Reduvius personatus is transcontinental.

Diet

Generalist predators; known to prey on various insects, including cimicids like Cimex and Oeciacus species.

Life Cycle

Life cycles are generally poorly understood; many members are nocturnal.

Ecosystem Role

Predators in their ecosystems, helping to control populations of other insects.

Collecting Methods

Light trapping at night
Hand collecting in habitat
Net sweeping

Preservation Methods

Pinning
Alcohol preservation
Storage in entomological drawers

Evolution

The subfamily Reduviinae is suspected to be non-monophyletic, indicating a complex evolutionary history among the species within this group.

Similar Taxa

Reduviidae (assassin bugs)

Misconceptions

Common myths include the belief that all assassin bugs are dangerous or venomous; however, while they are predators, they do not typically pose a threat to humans.