Masked Hunter
Reduvius personatus
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hemiptera
- Suborder: Heteroptera
- Infraorder: Cimicomorpha
- Family: Reduviidae
- Subfamily: Reduviinae
- Genus: Reduvius
- Species: personatus
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Reduvius personatus: /rɛˈduː.vi.ʊs pɛrˈsoʊ.nəˌtʌs/
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Summary
Reduvius personatus, known as the masked hunter, is a predatory insect belonging to the assassin bug family. Its nymphs utilize camouflage to blend with their surroundings and both adults and nymphs feed on small arthropods. Although they can deliver a painful sting when mishandled, they are not vectors for diseases affecting humans.
Physical Characteristics
Adults are uniformly black or sometimes dark brown, measuring 16-22 mm in length. They have an elongated head with a short, three-segmented beak and long, slender antennae. Nymphs use camouflage made of dust and debris that matches their surroundings, which makes them difficult to detect. Nymphs are naturally dark but can appear gray or light due to the debris.
Identification Tips
Adults are identifiable by their dark coloration and size (16-22 mm), whereas nymphs are noted for their ability to blend in with their environment due to their camouflage made from debris.
Habitat
Found around buildings and in wooded areas, they prefer dry habitats.
Distribution
Native to Europe, now adventitiously cosmopolitan; common in the Central and Eastern United States, including northern Great Basin. Rare in California. Reported specimens in Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, and some from Arizona.
Diet
Masked hunters prey on small arthropods such as woodlice, lacewings, earwigs, bed bugs (Cimex spp.), and swallow bugs (Oeciacus vicarius).
Life Cycle
Masked hunters undergo incomplete metamorphosis. One generation typically occurs per year. Nymphs resemble small adults and are found during various seasons, with adults common in midsummer.
Ecosystem Role
Predators of various small arthropods, helping control their populations.
Health Concerns
Can inflict a painful sting, similar to that of a bee, which can cause swelling that lasts about a week. They do not feed on human blood and do not transmit diseases.
Misconceptions
Often mistaken for kissing bugs, though masked hunters do not carry Chagas disease and do not feed on human blood.
Tags
- insect
- predator
- Holarctic
- night-hunting
- camouflage