Spined Assassin Bug - (Sinea diadema)

A traveling hunter, the Spined Assassin Bug looks just as ferocious as its method for dispatching prey.

Staff Writer (6/30/2017): Spined Assassin Bugs are covered in pointy spines or spikes. The purpose of them may be to fend off predators. The ones on front legs and the head may aid in subduing larger prey. Their presence gives the Spined Assassin bug a formidable appearance. The insect hides in plant foliage or on flowers, waiting for an insect to pass by it. The strong front legs grab the prey and a long fang at the mouth subsequently stabs the insect to death with rapid piercing movements. If handled carelessly, this fang can prick human skin creating a painful wound.

Look for Spined Assassin Bugs in meadows, gardens and flower beds. They may be under leaves or inside blossoms.

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Details of the:
Spined Assassin Bug

Category: True Bug
Common name: Spined Assassin Bug
Scientific Name: Sinea diadema
Other Names: Crowned Assassin Bug, Spiny Assassin Bug, Common Brown Assassin Bug

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hemiptera

Family: Reduviidae

Genus: Sinea

Species: diadema

Size (Adult, Length): 10mm to 15mm (0.39in to 0.59in)

Identifying Colors: brown

Additional Descriptors: spiky, spiny, thorny, prickly, fang, biting

North American Reach (Though Not Limited To*): Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; Nevada; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; North Dakota; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; West Virginia; Wisconsin; Wyoming; Alberta; British Columbia; Manitoba; New Brunswick; Newfoundland and Labrador; Nova Scotia; Ontario; Prince Edward Island; Quebec; Saskatchewan; Mexico

* Keep in mind that an insect's reach is not limited by lines on a map and therefore may appear in areas/regions/states beyond those listed above.

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