KINGDOM: Animalia | PHYLUM: Arthropoda | CLASS: Insecta | ORDER: Hemiptera | FAMILY: Reduviidae (assassin bugs & ambush bugs)

Assassin Bugs and Ambush Bugs are in the order Hemiptera which also includes stinks bugs, leaf-footed bugs, and other insects.  All insects in Hemiptera share a few characteristics, including piercing and sucking mouthparts, and wings which are membranous and clear at the tips, but hardened at the base.

Assassin bugs and ambush bugs are in the family Reduviidae.  Insects in this family are distinguished from other members of Hemiptera by their short, 3-segmented beaks (most Hemiptera have 4-segmented beaks).

WHAT IS AN AMBUSH BUG?
Technically, ambush bugs are a type of assassin bug, but there are a few differences.  Assassin bugs are usually dark-colored, with combinations of gray, green, and black.  Assassin bugs also have long, narrow heads compared to ambush bugs.  Ambush bugs are usually stoutly built and typically have bright colors: yellow, red, or orange.  Ambush bugs have thickened front legs which are used to capture prey.  Assassin bugs will also use their front legs to capture prey, but their front legs are not as thickened as those of ambush bugs.

Like all members of the order Hemiptera, assassin bugs and ambush bugs go through a simple metamorphosis with egg, nymph, and adult stages.  In warm months, females lay eggs which are stuck in clusters to leaves and stems.  After hatching, the wingless nymphs grow and molt 4 times (some species molt 7 times) before becoming full-sized, winged adults.  Adults are usually the overwintering stage.

In general, assassin bugs hunt on various types of vegetation, including trees, weeds, and bushes.  Ambush bugs usually hunt on flowers.  Assassin and ambush bugs are able to fly, but they are poor fliers.

Although assassin bugs and ambush bugs are fierce predators, they are sometimes eaten by birds, rodents, and large predatory arthropods, such as spiders, praying mantids, and even other assassin and ambush bugs.  Assassin bug and ambush bugs are especially vulnerable to predation when they are in the nymph stage.

PARASITIC REDUVIIDS: A few species in this family are parasites that feed on the blood of mammals.  The Bloodsucking Conenose, Triatoma sanguisuga, is a common example.  It normally feeds on rodents, but will sometimes bite humans that sleep near rodent nests.

Bugs in the family Reduviidae are considered pests when they bite humans.  Common predatory assassin bugs, like the Wheel Bug, will occasionally inflict painful bites.  For the most part, however, assassin and ambush bugs have reputations as beneficial insects because they feed on other arthropods.

Only the parasitic reduviids, such as the conenose bugs, are true pests.  Their bites sometimes cause severe allergic reactions.  However, they are not frequently encountered in Kentucky.  Read more about conenose bugs and other biting bugs at this Texas A&M Extension website:
http://citybugs.tamu.edu/FastSheets/Ent-1018.html

WHEEL BUG
GENUS and SPECIES: Arilus cristatus
The most commonly seen assassin bug in Kentucky is probably the Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus, pictured below.  At 1 1/2", this silver-gray insect is the largest assassin bug that lives in Kentucky.  It gets its name from the structure on its thorax which resembles a gear or saw blade.  The wheel bug is notorious for its painful bite, but it only bites on accident or if handled carelessly.  The nymph of the wheel bug is pictured above.

SPINED ASSASSIN BUG
GENUS and SPECIES: Sinea diadema
Sinea diadema, pictured below, is usually called the Spined Assassin Bug.  It is often found on goldenrod and other wildflowers.  Because it is smaller than the wheel bug (at about 3/4") it is not noticed as often, but the spined assassin bug is just as common, if not more so.

CORSAIR
GENUS: Melanolestes
Corsairs are unusual assassin bugs in the Melanolestes genus.  Male corsairs have full-sized wings and are sometimes found hunting on leaves and flowers.  Female corsairs, like the one pictured below, have stunted, non-functional wings.  They hunt under rocks, logs, and fallen leaves for ground-dwelling prey like caterpillars, crickets, and earthworms.  Corsairs are about 1" long.  Visit this page at BugGuide.net for a picture of winged male corsair:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/7334/bgimage

Assassin bugs and ambush bugs are always an interesting addition to an insect collection.  Look for assassin bugs in any weedy or bushy area during warm months, especially in hedge rows, along roadsides and fence rows, in gardens, or along trails.  Ambush bugs are commonly found on wildflowers during the summer, but they are especially common on goldenrod in late summer and early fall.  Most assassin bugs and ambush bugs are slow moving: if you find them, they are usually easy to catch.  They will also usually stay still for a photograph.  If you are patient, you may be able to snap a picture of one as it slowly consumes its prey.  Although assassin bugs and ambush bugs are not considered dangerous, most can bite, and should not be handled.

Assassin bugs can also make great pets, and usually do well in captivity, although most species only live for a year or two (and they can't be handled!).  For more information about keeping pet assassin bugs, visit our Pet Bugs page: Assassin Bugs.

Because assassin bugs are such good predators, scientists are interested in using them as natural control agents of crop pests.  Read about an important assassin bug predator from California:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/assassin_bugs.html

Do you know any myths, legends, or folklore about assassin bugs or ambush bugs?  Let us know if you do!