Spined Assassin Bug (Sinea diadema)

Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Spined Assassin Bug.

Updated: 6/30/2017; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org

Spined Assassin Bug

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

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.

Basic Information

Common Name: Spined Assassin Bug

Other Name(s): Crowned Assassin Bug, Spiny Assassin Bug, Common Brown Assassin Bug

Scientific Name: Sinea diadema

Category: True Bug

General Identification

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

Identifying Colors: brown

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

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hemiptera

Family: Reduviidae

Genus: Sinea

Species: diadema

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed below as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections below indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Mexico

Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)

The map below showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Spined Assassin Bug may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic

Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic

Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

BugFinder: What is It?

BUGFINDER SEARCH TOOL