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Insects and other arthropods

Masked hunter

English
Reduvius personatus
Reduvius personatus
Photo: Claude Pilon
Masked hunter
  • Masked hunter
  • Masked hunter

Tabs group

Description

These black or dark brown bugs measure from 16 to 22 mm long. They have an elongated, oval shape and a small head with sharp mouthparts. They use this beak-like “rostrum” to spear their prey so that they can feed on it.

The nymphs resemble adults but are lighter coloured and have no functional wings. They generally cover themselves in dust, sand or lint similar in colour to their environment. The underside of the nymphs’ body is black or brown, like that of adults.

Life cycle

They produce one generation a year. Nymphs look like smaller adults, and grow by successively moulting.

Geographic distribution

The species originated in Europe and was probably introduced accidentally into the United States. It is now found in many northwestern, central and eastern states, and all across Canada.

French name
Réduve assassin (punaise assassine)
Scientific name
Reduvius personatus
English name
Masked hunter (bed bug hunter, masked bed bug hunter)
Class
Insecta
Order
Hemiptera
Family
Reduviidae