Reduviidae
Guides
Oncocephalus
Oncocephalus is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. The genus contains at least 210 described species, making it one of the more species-rich genera within the family. Species in this genus are predatory true bugs found across multiple continents.
Oncocephalus geniculatus
Oncocephalus geniculatus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Stål in 1872. It belongs to the subfamily Stenopodainae, a group characterized by raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species has been documented across Central America and North America. It is among the more frequently observed Oncocephalus species, with over 600 citizen science records.
Oncocephalus nubilus
Oncocephalus nubilus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1914. It belongs to the subfamily Stenopodainae, a group of reduviids commonly known as thread-legged or spiny assassin bugs. The species has been documented in Central America and North America, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Opisthacidius
Opisthacidius is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Reduviinae. It was established by Berg in 1879 and is native to South America. The genus comprises predatory true bugs that hunt other insects using raptorial forelegs and a piercing-sucking proboscis.
Opisthacidius mexicanus
Opisthacidius mexicanus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Reduviinae. It was described by Peláez in 1942 and is native to Mexico and Middle America. As a member of the Reduviidae, it is presumed to be a predatory insect, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Peiratinae
corsairs, corsair bugs
Peiratinae is a subfamily of assassin bugs (Reduviidae) commonly known as corsairs. The subfamily has a worldwide distribution with greatest diversity in tropical regions. Approximately 30 genera and 350 species are described, though estimates vary. Members of this subfamily are predatory true bugs. The genus Sirthenea is notable for its cosmopolitan distribution across all continents.
Phasmatocoris
Phasmatocoris is a genus of thread-legged bugs in the subfamily Emesinae, family Reduviidae. Fourteen species have been described, with the genus first established by Breddin in 1904. Species are documented from Colombia and other regions. The genus remains poorly studied with limited biological data available.
Phasmatocoris labyrinthicus
Phasmatocoris labyrinthicus is a species of thread-legged assassin bug described by Pape in 2013. It belongs to the subfamily Emesinae, characterized by extremely slender bodies and elongated legs adapted for life on spider webs. The species name "labyrinthicus" likely refers to the complex, maze-like patterns or habitat associations. As a reduviid, it is presumed to be predatory, though specific behavioral details remain undocumented.
Phymata albopicta
jagged ambush bug
Phymata albopicta is a species of jagged ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. Like other members of the genus Phymata, it is a sit-and-wait predator that hunts on flowers, using raptorial forelegs to seize prey. The species has been documented in North America and Middle America. It exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being larger and capable of capturing larger prey items.
Phymata americana
Jagged Ambush Bug, Ambush Bug
Phymata americana is a predatory true bug in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as the jagged ambush bug. It is native to North and Central America, where it hunts on flowers using a sit-and-wait strategy. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in body size and weapon morphology, with females typically larger than males and possessing disproportionately longer raptorial forelegs. Color polymorphism occurs, with individuals showing variation in body coloration that appears to influence flower color preference for camouflage.
Phymata americana americana
jagged ambush bug
Phymata americana americana is a subspecies of jagged ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. As an ambush predator, it waits motionless on flowers to capture visiting insects. The subspecies exhibits phenetic variation in color pattern correlated with climate and season. Studies indicate it shows weak initial discrimination when choosing hunting sites from the ground, but improves patch choice by switching positions once atop vegetation. It is capable of hybridizing with the related Phymata pennsylvanica, with no evidence of prezygotic reproductive barriers.
Phymata borica
Ambush bug
Phymata borica is a species of ambush bug in the family Reduviidae, described by Evans in 1931. Like other members of the genus Phymata, it is a predatory insect that hunts by waiting motionless on flowers to capture visiting pollinators. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its range and ecology remain limited in available sources.
Phymata fasciata
ambush bug
Phymata fasciata is a species of ambush bug in the family Reduviidae, characterized by its raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species occurs across Central America and North America, with four recognized subspecies showing geographic variation. As a member of the Phymatinae, it employs sit-and-wait predation tactics typical of ambush bugs, though specific behavioral and ecological studies for this species remain limited.
Phymata luteomarginata
jagged ambush bug
Phymata luteomarginata is a species of jagged ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. Like other members of the genus Phymata, it is a sit-and-wait predator that hunts on flowers, seizing pollinators and other flower-visiting insects with raptorial forelegs. The species was described by Kormilev in 1957 and occurs in North America. Specific distinguishing features of this species relative to congeners are not well documented in available sources.
Phymata luxa
jagged ambush bug
Phymata luxa is a species of ambush bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Evans in 1931. As a member of the genus Phymata, it is a predatory insect that hunts on flowers using a sit-and-wait ambush strategy. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its range and ecology remain limited compared to better-studied congeners.
Phymata metcalfi
jagged ambush bug
Phymata metcalfi is a species of jagged ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. As with other members of the genus Phymata, it is a predatory insect that hunts on flowers, using its raptorial front legs to seize prey. The species is part of a group of ambush bugs known for their distinctive flattened, angular body shape and effective camouflage among blossoms. Like congeners, it likely exploits the high insect traffic on composite flowers such as goldenrods and sunflowers.
Phymata mystica
jagged ambush bug
Phymata mystica is a species of jagged ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. Like other members of the genus Phymata, it is an ambush predator that waits on flowers to capture pollinating insects. The species was described by Evans in 1931 and belongs to a group of insects known for their distinctive raptorial forelegs and cryptic coloration that blends with floral backgrounds.
Phymata pacifica
Pacific ambush bug
Phymata pacifica is a species of ambush bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Evans in 1931. The species is found in North America and includes three recognized subspecies: P. p. pacifica, P. p. hainesi, and P. p. stanfordi. As an ambush bug, it belongs to the subfamily Phymatinae, a group of predatory true bugs known for their distinctive raptorial forelegs used to capture prey.
Phymata pennsylvanica
Pennsylvania ambush bug, Pennsylvania jagged ambush bug
Phymata pennsylvanica, the Pennsylvania ambush bug, is a predatory true bug in the family Reduviidae. It is one of the most common and widespread North American ambush bugs, characterized by its squat, diamond-shaped body and raptorial front legs adapted for seizing prey. The species is known to prey on various flower-visiting insects including bees, wasps, flies, moths, and butterflies. It has been documented preying specifically on the hoverfly Syritta pipiens.
Phymata saileri
jagged ambush bug
Phymata saileri is a species of jagged ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. Like other members of the genus Phymata, it is a predatory insect that hunts on flowers, using raptorial forelegs to capture prey. The species was described by Kormilev in 1957 and occurs in North America.
Phymata stanfordi
Stanford's ambush bug
Phymata stanfordi is an ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. It belongs to the genus Phymata, a group of predatory true bugs known for their distinctive raptorial forelegs used to capture prey. The species epithet "stanfordi" suggests a connection to Stanford University, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in available sources.
Ploiaria aptera
Ploiaria aptera is a thread-legged bug species described by McAtee and Malloch in 1925. It belongs to the subfamily Emesinae within the assassin bug family Reduviidae. The species is known from North America and is characterized by its wingless condition, as indicated by its specific epithet 'aptera'. Thread-legged bugs in this genus are typically slender predators with elongated legs adapted for capturing prey on vegetation.
Ploiaria pilicornis
Ploiaria pilicornis is a thread-legged assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, described by McAtee and Malloch in 1925. The species belongs to the subfamily Emesinae, characterized by their elongated, slender legs and raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. Like other emesines, it is presumed to be predatory, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Ploiaria reticulata
Ploiaria reticulata is a thread-legged assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Emesinae. The species was described by Baker in 1910 and is distributed across Middle and North America. Like other emesine reduviids, it possesses elongated, thread-like legs adapted for capturing prey on vegetation.
Ploiaria setulifera
Ploiaria setulifera is a thread-legged assassin bug described in 1925. It belongs to the subfamily Emesinae, a group characterized by extremely slender bodies and raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species has been documented in the Caribbean and North America. Like other reduviids, it is presumed predatory, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Ploiaria similis
Ploiaria similis is a species of thread-legged assassin bug (Reduviidae: Emesinae) described by McAtee & Malloch in 1925. The species belongs to the genus Ploiaria, a group of slender, elongate reduviids characterized by their thread-like legs and cryptic habits. It is recorded from North America and Middle America based on distribution data, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Pnirontis brimleyi
Pnirontis brimleyi is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, described by Blatchley in 1926. It belongs to the subfamily Stenopodainae, a group characterized by raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species is known from North America, with distribution records documented in the southeastern United States. Available information is limited, with only one observation recorded in iNaturalist.
Pnirontis infirma
Pnirontis infirma is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Stål in 1859. It has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. As a member of the subfamily Stenopodainae, it belongs to a group of reduviids commonly known as feather-legged bugs.
Pselliopus
orange assassin bug
Pselliopus sp-near-barberi is an assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, closely related to or conspecific with Pselliopus barberi. It is a predatory true bug characterized by orange and black coloration, serving as aposematic warning coloration. This species is an active predator of small insects including leafhoppers and aphids, and has been documented as a natural enemy of crapemyrtle aphids in urban landscapes.
Pselliopus cinctus
Ringed Assassin Bug
Pselliopus cinctus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as the Ringed Assassin Bug. It is found in North America and is a predatory true bug that hunts other insects. The species has been documented in ambush predation behavior, including stalking bees and other prey on flowers.
Pselliopus inermis
Orange assassin bug
Pselliopus inermis is an assassin bug species in the family Reduviidae, native to the Americas. Like other members of its genus, it is a predatory true bug that hunts on flowers and vegetation. The species was described by Champion in 1899 and occurs in Middle America and North America.
Pselliopus latifasciatus
Pselliopus latifasciatus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Barber in 1924. It is found in North America. As a member of the genus Pselliopus, it shares the characteristic orange and black coloration and predatory habits typical of this group of harpactorine assassin bugs. The specific epithet 'latifasciatus' refers to broad bands or stripes, likely describing a distinctive pattern element on this species.
Pselliopus marmorosus
Pselliopus marmorosus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described from Middle America in 2007. Like other members of the genus Pselliopus, it is a predatory true bug characterized by elongated body form and raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species name "marmorosus" likely refers to a marbled or mottled coloration pattern. As a harpactorine assassin bug, it employs external digestion, injecting proteolytic enzymes into prey and consuming liquefied tissues.
Pselliopus punctipes
ringed assassin bug
Pselliopus punctipes is a predatory assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as the ringed assassin bug. It is characterized by its long legs, elongated beak, and distinctive ringed coloration pattern on its body. The species is an ambush predator that hunts small insects by stalking and stabbing them with its venom-injecting proboscis. It belongs to a genus of assassin bugs known for their stealthy hunting behavior and importance in natural pest control.
Pselliopus zebra
Zebra assassin bug
Pselliopus zebra is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, characterized by its distinctive black and white striped coloration reminiscent of a zebra pattern. This predatory true bug inhabits regions of Central America and North America, where it hunts small arthropod prey. Like other members of the genus Pselliopus, it possesses raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey and a piercing-sucking proboscis used to subdue and consume victims.
Pseudometapterus
Pseudometapterus is a genus of thread-legged bugs (Reduviidae: Emesinae) established by Wygodzinsky in 1966. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in North America. Most members are brachypterous or apterous, with reduced or absent wings, though winged forms have been documented in P. umbrosus.
Pseudosaica
Pseudosaica is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Saicinae. The genus was erected by Blinn in 1990 and contains at least two described species: P. florida from the southeastern United States and P. panamaensis from Central America. Members of this genus are predatory true bugs.
Pseudozelurus
Pseudozelurus is a genus of assassin bugs (Reduviidae) in the subfamily Reduviinae. The genus was established by Lent & Wygodzinsky in 1947 and contains at least two described species: Pseudozelurus arizonicus and Pseudozelurus superbus. As with other reduviids, members of this genus are predatory true bugs.
Pygolampis sericea
Pygolampis sericea is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, described by Stål in 1859. It belongs to the subfamily Stenopodainae, a group of predatory true bugs characterized by their raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species is known from North America, though detailed natural history information remains limited in available sources.
Rasahus biguttatus
corsair, assassin bug
Rasahus biguttatus is a species of corsair (assassin bug) in the family Reduviidae. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. As a member of the subfamily Peiratinae, it shares characteristics typical of corsairs, including raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1832.
Rasahus hamatus
corsair
Rasahus hamatus is a species of corsair, a group of predatory assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. It occurs widely across the Western Hemisphere, from North America through Central America and the Caribbean to South America, including the Galápagos Islands. As a member of the subfamily Peiratinae, it belongs to a lineage known for ground-dwelling habits and active predation on other arthropods.
Rasahus thoracicus
Western Corsair Bug, Western Corsair
Rasahus thoracicus, commonly known as the Western Corsair Bug, is an assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. Adults display orange and black coloration with distinctive orange spots on each wing. The species is nocturnal and attracted to bright lights, where it hunts other insects. Unlike most assassin bugs, its bite is notably painful to humans. It is one of two "two spotted corsairs," the other being Rasahus biguttatus.
Reduvius senilis
Reduvius senilis is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in Central America and North America. Very little specific information is available about this species in the provided sources, which focus primarily on the related and better-known Masked Hunter (Reduvius personatus).
Reduvius sonoraensis
Reduvius sonoraensis is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is known to occur in Central America and North America. A distinctive feature of this species is the presence of two morphological types discernible by the fifth instar: individuals with short wing pads and those with long wing pads. This wing pad dimorphism represents an unusual developmental polymorphism within the genus Reduvius.
Reduvius vanduzeei
Reduvius vanduzeei is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, described by Wygodzinsky & Usinger in 1964. It belongs to the genus Reduvius, which includes several species known for their predatory habits. Unlike the well-studied congener Reduvius personatus (the Masked Hunter), detailed information about R. vanduzeei's biology and ecology appears limited in available sources. The species is recorded from North America.
Repipta taurus
Red Bull Assassin, red bull assassin bug
Repipta taurus is an assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as the red bull assassin. It is a predatory species with five nymphal instars and a total nymphal development period of approximately 60 days under laboratory conditions. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, with eggs deposited in soil.
Rhiginia cinctiventris
millipede assassin
Rhiginia cinctiventris is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, specifically classified within the millipede assassin subfamily Ectrichodiinae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the Ectrichodiinae, it belongs to a specialized group of predatory true bugs known for preying on millipedes.
Rhiginia cruciata
scarlet-bordered assassin bug, cruciate assassin bug
Rhiginia cruciata is a predatory true bug in the family Reduviidae, commonly called the scarlet-bordered assassin bug or cruciate assassin bug. It is classified among the "millipede assassins" in the subfamily Ectrichodiinae, a group specialized for hunting millipedes. The species occurs across the Caribbean, Central America, and North America.
Rhynocoris
Flower Assassin Bugs
Rhynocoris is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Harpactorinae. Species occur across Asia, mainland Europe, Africa, and North America. The genus exhibits subsocial behavior with parental care of egg masses, a trait that has evolved independently only six times in Heteroptera. Multiple species have been investigated as biological control agents for agricultural pests, particularly in cotton and other crop systems.
Rhynocoris ventralis americanus
Rhynocoris ventralis americanus is a subspecies of assassin bug described by Bergroth in 1897. It is currently recognized as a synonym within the Reduviidae family. The taxon belongs to the harpactorine assassin bugs, a group of predatory true bugs. Very little specific information is documented for this particular subspecies.