The Hemiptera order includes the Assassin bug. So far, over 6600 species of assassin bugs have been described. These animals can be found on almost every continent, including Europe, Africa, Asia, North, Central, and South America. Rainforests have the greatest diversity of assassin bugs. They can also be found in gardens and even in urban apartments. Assassin bugs are not classified as endangered.
The size of an assassin bug varies depending on the species. They can range in size from 0.04 to 04 inches.
Color and body shape are also species-dependent. Some specimens are completely brown or black, while others can be bright with distinct markings on their bodies.
Assassin bugs get their name from their skilled predatory lifestyle. They are waiting in ambush for the prey, but once the prey is identified, the chances of escape are slim.
Assassin bugs typically consume various types of insects. Some species feed on birds’, reptiles’, and mammals’ blood.
Assassin bugs’ mouths are designed for piercing and sucking juices from the victim’s body. They have a three-part beak and a single tube through which the assassin bug transfers its poisonous saliva.
Cockroaches die 3 to 4 seconds after being bitten by an assassin bug. Caterpillars can live for up to ten seconds.
Toxins from assassin bugs can cause local or more complex reactions in the human body. A type of assassin bug known as a “kissing bug” feeds on human blood from areas near the mouth.
External digestion is carried out by assassin bugs. To put it another way, they inject digestive juices into the victim’s body and wait for the internal organs to turn liquid. Once digestion is complete, the assassin bug will consume liquid food by sucking it through a tube.
Assassin bugs’ front legs are specially designed to provide a firm grip on their prey. They have sticky pads that are located on thousands of tiny hairs.
Assassin bugs are skilled hunters. Termite-eating assassin bugs will feed on dead termites in order to attract live termites. South Asian assassin bugs will cover their legs with tree resin to attract bees.
Female assassin bugs are better hunters because their diet and egg-laying process necessitate more protein.
Despite their skill as assassins, assassin bugs have natural foes. Birds, rodents, praying mantis, spiders, and other assassin bugs are the primary predators of assassin bugs.
Humans can be infected with serious diseases transmitted by assassin bugs, such as Chagas disease. Chagas disease can result in heart failure.
The metamorphosis of assassin bugs is incomplete. The female lays eggs, which hatch into wingless nymphs. They will grow and molt four times before reaching adult insect size.
In captivity, assassin bugs can live for one to two years.
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