Family: Reduviidae, Assassin Bugs view all from this family

Description 1/2-5/8" (12-15 mm). Variably colored: red with blackish-brown markings or brown with yellowish markings. Dense short hair on head, thorax, and legs. Distance between simple eyes greater than the distance between compound eyes. 2nd antennal segment rather comblike, not subdivided into small ringlike units. Nymph is dark and reddish.

Warning Most assassin bugs prey on other insects, although some suck blood from vertebrates, and a few transmit diseases to people.

Food Other insects, especially bees.

Life Cycle Eggs are attached to foliage. Nymphs, like adults, are voracious predators. 1 generation or more a year in the North.

Habitat Meadows, fields, and gardens.

Range North America; most common in the West.

Discussion This insect pounces on Honey Bees and other pollinating insects. It holds the captive in its powerful legs, thrusts its cutting beak into the victim's back, injects an immobilizing digestive agent, then sucks out the body juices.