White Spot Assassin Bug

White Spot Assassin Bug

Range: West Africa

Habitat: This species of assassin bug is found in savanna and forest habitats. They live on bushes and tall vegetation.

Incubation: Adults drop shiny, dark brown eggs on the ground. The eggs turn lighter, almost red, when they are ready to hatch — in about 21 days.

Offspring: Assassin bug nymphs are all red with black head and black and yellow legs. They turn black with yellow legs after their first molt.

Size: Adults are approximately 1 1/4" long.

Diet: Assassin bugs feed on other insects and occasionally each other when no other food is available. Individuals catch their own prey but larger prey will often be fed upon by a number of individuals. Insects are caught by piercing them with their short proboscis or beak and injecting them with a toxin.

Characteristics: Adult assassin bugs are all black with two white spots on the back of their wing covers. Their legs are black and yellow. They are called assassin bugs because of their habit of stalking their insect prey. The obvious and bright markings on these bugs warn predators of their painful bite and possibly that they taste bad.

Threats: Assassin bugs are not directly threatened, but like many rain forest animals, they are disappearing due to loss of habitat.