Assassin Bugs

Saw assassin bugs in Hutan Lipur Lentang, Port Dickson before. Assassin bugs (Castolus sp.) are killer insects that eat other bugs. They use the long rostrum to inject a lethal saliva that liquefies the insides of the prey, which are then sucked out. Sometimes, when other food isn't available, assassin bugs even eat each other. The legs of some of these bugs are covered in tiny hairs that serve to make them sticky to hold onto their prey while they feed. The saliva is commonly effective at killing substantially larger prey than the bug itself. As nymphs, some species will cover and camouflage themselves with debris, or the remains of dead prey insects. Some species have been known to feed on cockroaches or bedbugs (in the case of the masked hunter) and are regarded in many locations as beneficial. Some people breed them as pets and for insect control.

Kingdom : Animalia

Phylum : Arthropoda

Class : Insecta

Order : Hemiptera

Suborder : Heteroptera

Superfamily : Cimicomorpha

Family : Reduviidea

Adult Assassin Bugs






Assassin Bugs Nymph