Assassin Bug
Scientific Name: Pristhesancus plagipennis
Other Common Names: Bee Killer, Common Assassin Bug
Species documented in 1873 by Walker, F..
Description
Adult insects are brown,
growing up to 30mm in length. The nymphs are black with orange adbomens.
Reproduction/Lifecycle
In the
summer, adult females lay between 40 to 80 orange eggs, hatching 14 to 16 days later. The
assassin bug can live for up to 13 months.
Habitat
Common in gardens in Brisbane, also found in many
others areas of Australia.
Diet
The name assassin bug is due to the way this insect feeds on
its prey. Often approaching from behind, the assassin bug will stab the prey and inject an
enzyme which will disolve the prey's inner organs. The assassin bug can then feed on the
fluid.
Miscellaneous
Studies have found the assassin bug to
be of commercial benefit for cotton crop protection. The bugs will control heliothis and other
plant-sucking bugs in cotton.
Assassin bugs are not known to be aggressive, but
may bite in self-defence. The bite is reported to be extremely painful (as the same salivary
secretion is injected through the skin as used to kill their prey). Intense burning sensations
followed by a lump lasting for several days may be present at the site of the bite.
Found in:
NSW,NT,QLD,SA,TAS,WA,
References/Bibliography:
Grundy, Paul. 30 March 2006. Entomology - Assassin Bugs: a beneficial insect for
pest management, Department of Primary Industries and Fisherise. Queensland Government.
Available from: <http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/cropresearch/14910.html> [Accessed 22 Jan
2007]
Australian Government, 2007. Australian Faunal Directory.
Department of the Environment and Heritage. Available from: <http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-
bin/abrs/fauna/details.pl?pstrVol=HETEROPTERA;pstrTaxa=2005;pstrChecklistMode=2> [Accessed
22 Jan 2007]
CSIRO,1970. The Insects of Australia (Reduviidae, pp. 439-
40).Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, Australia
