Thread-legged Assassin bugs look like Walkingsticks thanks to their narrow bodies and extremely long legs. Their movements are slow, adding to the similarities, but Thread-legged Assassins are not herbivores. Their front legs are used for grabbing insect prey, and bend or curl, much like those of a Praying Mantis, but it is not in the same family. Like a spider, this type of Assassin Bug clings to webs (made by spider that is likely nearby). The back four legs are used to walk the fine silk threads, slowly and carefully. It waits patiently for the perfect moment to steal an insect meal from the resident arachnid.
There are various Tribes of Thread-legged Assassins Bugs, and they look similar to each other, yet different. Some are brown or red, or may have dark speckles, wider abdomens, or appear covered in silvery residue. They are stalking hunters that take advantage of a spider’s snare without becoming a victim to it themselves. Look for this beguiling insect in sheds, barns, and other outbuildings among the webs that are created in corners, on rafters and beams, and on ceilings.
General Characteristics Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
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 above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns.
Colors: brown; red; white; silver
