Assassin Bug. The Terminator.

Sometimes, I would decide to bring my camera along for walks. Many of my macro shots of insects, spiders and whatever that lives came about through this activity. Other times, I would just grab my camera and head to the PCN (Park Connector Network) that is just 100 m from where I stay.

Here is one insect that I see almost all the time, standing on a leaf - as though it was in deep thoughts. Yes, it is an Assassin Bug. It was probably waiting for its prey to fly by. This bright-orange 12mm long coloured Assassin Bug (Cosmolestes picticeps) belongs to the Reduviidae family of insects. Order: Hemiptera.

Assassin Bug - (i)

My observation is that it does not fly as fast as a ladybird! From online documentations and some images of that I have seen on the internet, the assassin bug eats beetles such as Brown Chafer beetles. Of course, it eats whatever that comes along too. So, in my opinion it can be considered a good insect to have around in our parks!

Sharp, Curvy Proboscis - (ii)

The proboscis (pic ii) of this particular assassin bug is about 3mm long. It is hard although the curve shape does give the impression that it is just a harmless droopy nose! 

It is said that because the proboscis (pic ii) is hard enough to pierce a beetle, it is therefore good enough to penetrate our skin, if we mishandled the bug. Since it releases toxin to dissolve the beetle, it might do the same to us - and if it does - then you would probably end up with some dead cells at that particular area where it poked. 

I have not been stung before and I have not seen one bigger than this 12mm bug so I cannot tell you how painful that would be. Touch wood!

The Stare (iii)

If I were to be a prey, I would be wetting on my pants. Look at the bug (pic iii). It looks a bit like a praying mantis but more terrifying indeed. Of course, don't look at it from the side view. It is comical!

From a distance - (iv)

This is how majestic it looks (pic iv) from a short distance away. The assassin bug moves very gently as it travels from one leaf to another. If it were to land on a flower, instead of a leaf - you would probably not notice its being. From the wiki-doc, some people breed and keep them as pest controllers! I am not sure if anyone in Singapore does this.

I did manage to persuade it to move on, from one leaf to another - and it moved on without showing signs of panic or irritation. It did not attempt to fly. A mighty fellow.

Remember, the assassin bug is not a PEST.