The Reduviidae is second largest heteropteran family, with 25 subfamilies, ca, 1,000 genera, and 7,000 species. They are distributed in terrestrial habitats nearly worldwide, but are most diverse in the tropics. Small to large bugs (adults 5-40 mm in length) with an elongated head, constricted behind the eyes, long legs, long thin antennae, and a short three-segmented proboscis. They could be brown, black, red, or orange. Nymphs of some species camouflage themselves with debris. The majority of assassin bugs are ambush predators of arthropods, effective stabbing and killing prey with venomous saliva. Many species can inflict a painful bite. The subfamily Triatominae are hematophagic parasites.

		Masked Hunter (Reduvius personatus)
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