Assassin Bug
Pristhesancus plagipennis
The Reduviidae, or Assassin Bugs, are a large family of the order Hemiptera (true bugs), consisting of about 7000 species. Almost all of these are terrestrial ambush predators, though a few, such as the Chagas disease carrying Rhodnius prolixus, are blood-suckers. Assassin Bugs use their powerful, curved proboscis for puncturing their prey. Many species have elongate heads and legs, which allow them to attack and subdue prey from a distance.
Morphology
About 25-30mm in length, these insects are mostly yellowish-brown with slender legs and transparent wings.
Evolution
There are more than 300 species of Australian assassin bugs in the Family Reduviidae. All Australian species are predators of other invertebrates, and have elongated heads and a thick, curved rostrum.
Behaviour
This species is a slow-moving predator that is known to lurk among foliage and on flowers to ambush other insects, especially bees (hence the common name of Bee Killer). Prey is impaled on the bug’s rostrum and killed by pumping in digestive enzymes that liquefy the body tissues. The same enzymes cause intense pain in humans. They have been described to be not aggressive, however will bite if handled.
Method of reproduction
Sexual
Habitat
Terrestrial
Common in urban gardens, where it lurks amongst the foliage.
Distribution
Found across mainland Australia.
Life Cycle
As with other true bugs, reduviids have incomplete metamorphosis: upon hatching from their egg they go through several nymphal stages, each progressively larger and more developed than the next. In the final stage they moult into the adult, which is distinguished from the nymphs by the presence of fully developed wings (except in micropterous or apterous morphs).
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Hexapoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Superfamily: | Reduvioidea |
| Family: | Rediviidae |
| Subfamily: | Harpactorinae |
| Tribe: | Harpactorini |
| Genus: | Pristhesancus |
| Species: | plagipennis |
| Name Published Year: | 1873 |
|---|---|
| Rank: | species |
| Scientific Name Authorship: | Walker |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/pristhesancus-plagipennis
Accessed 23 May 2025
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