Assassin Bug

Acanthaspis (?)

Reduviidae from Kenya. Photo © by Michael Plagens

Upper Kerio Valley, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Kenya. Dec. 2014.

Assassin bugs are predatory on other insects (except a small group of blood suckers) which they capture with raptorial front legs and a mouth-beak that can inject paralyzing venom. The colorful pattern is a warning to its own predators that a painful bite is possible if the assassin bug is attacked.

Reduviidae -- Assassin Bug Family

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Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens. Page created 06 October 2015