Masked Hunter
Reduvius personatus
This record describes Reduvius personatus (species). Recorded family: Reduviidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Wikipedia reference for Reduvius personatus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduvius_personatus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Heteroptera
- Superfamily
- Miroidea
- Family
- Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs)
- Subfamily
- Reduviinae
- Genus
- Reduvius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This species is associated with humans (synanthropic) and breeds in houses, feeding on a range of associated insects such as bedbugs, silverfish, booklice and flies. The bug does not suck blood or spread disease; it may however inflict a painful bite if handled roughly. It has also been attracted to light.
Seasonal Activity
Adult: May to September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae camouflage themselves using dust and the bug is sometimes known as the 'Masked Hunter' for this reason.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Infrequent in Britain where it has been recorded mainly from southern and central England.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Reduvius personatus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Masked Hunter (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Masked Hunter
How big is Masked Hunter?
10mm to 18mm (0.39" to 0.70")
Where is Masked Hunter found?
Habitat: This species is associated with humans (synanthropic) and breeds in houses, feeding on a range of associated insects such as bedbugs, silverfish, booklice and flies. The bug does not suck blood or spread disease; it may however inflict a painful bite if handled roughly. It has also been attracted to light.
When is Masked Hunter active?
Masked Hunter: seasonal activity - Adult: May to September..
What is the life cycle of a Masked Hunter?
The larvae camouflage themselves using dust and the bug is sometimes known as the 'Masked Hunter' for this reason.