Masked hunter
(Reduvius personatus)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
Masked hunter is a medium-sized assassin bug. It is native to Europe. It was accidentally introduced into North America and is now common in the eastern and central United States. It is common in Minnesota. Adults are ⅝″ to ⅞″ in length, elongated oval in shape, and entirely dark brown or black. The thorax is shiny and has two noticeable bumps. The thorax, abdomen, and legs are sparsely covered with straight, spreading hairs. The wings are leathery, extend the length body, and are held horizontally over the abdomen. When viewed from above, the edges of the abdomen extend laterally beyond the wings. The head is small and attached to the body with a distinct neck. There are both large compound eyes and small simple eyes (ocelli). The protruding mouth part (beak) has 3 segments. It is short and curved. When at rest it is tucked into a groove between the forelegs. The antennae have 4 segments, are slender, and are moderately long, much longer than the head. The third leg segment (femur) on the forelegs is thickened. Nymphs are similar in shape to adults but smaller. They are well camouflaged. They exude a sticky substance that causes bits of dist, lint, and other debris to stick to their body, antennae, and legs. |
Size |
Total length: ⅝″ to ⅞″ |
Similar Species |
Habitat |
Wooded areas, human homes. |
Biology |
Season |
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Behavior |
If handled or trapped between clothing and skin, it can deliver a painful bite. Nymphs are active at night and hide during the day. |
Life Cycle |
One generation per year. |
Nymph Food |
Bed bugs and other small insects, spiders, centipedes, and millipedes. |
Adult Food |
Bed bugs and other small insects, spiders, centipedes, and millipedes. |
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 8/18/2025). |
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| 8/18/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Common |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
Hemiptera (true bugs, hoppers, aphids, and allies) |
Suborder |
Heteroptera (true bugs) |
Infraorder |
Cimicomorpha |
Superfamily |
Reduvioidea |
Family |
Reduviidae (assassin bugs) |
Subfamily |
Reduviinae |
Genus |
Reduvius |
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Cimex personatus |
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Common Names |
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bed bug hunter masked bed bug hunter masked hunter |
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Glossary
Beak
On plants: A comparatively short and stout, narrow or prolonged tip on a thickened organ, as on some fruits and seeds. On insects: The protruding mouthparts.
Femur
On insects and arachnids, the third, largest, most robust segment of the leg, coming immediately before the tibia. On humans, the thigh bone.
Ocellus
Simple eye; an eye with a single lens. Plural: ocelli.
Visitor Photos |
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Sakura Davis |
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got bit by this Insect this morning while I was getting dressed. Extremely painful; while removing it from my leg I killed it. |
Bill Reynolds |
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Found a few of these roaming the house recently. I believe this to be the Masked Hunter (reduvius personatus) |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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Other Videos |
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Masked Hunter (Reduviidae: Reduvius personatus) Dorsal View |
About
Uploaded on Jul 12, 2011 Photographed at Larimore, North Dakota (12 July 2011). Thank you to 'v belov' (@Bugguide.net) for confirming the identity of this specimen! |
Masked Hunter (Reduviidae: Reduvius personatus) Lateral View |
About
Uploaded on Jul 12, 2011 Photographed at Larimore, North Dakota (12 July 2011). |
Reduvius personatus the masked hunter |
About
Uploaded on Jul 12, 2010 Reduvius personatus keeps the house clean. |
Masked Hunter (reduvius personatus) watch out for bite! |
About
Published on Jun 26, 2016 Masked Hunter (reduvius personatus) found in the house ( Fort Collins Colorado ). Black beetle with flat long back. Didn't fly but it looks like it has some wings. Ended up releasing him in the garden to help eat the little plant killers. |
Visitor Sightings |
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| Sakura Davis 6/20/2018 |
Location: Little Falls, MN got bit by this Insect this morning while I was getting dressed. Extremely painful; while removing it from my leg I killed it. |
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| Bill Reynolds 7/6/2016 |
Location: Numedal Township, Pennington Co., Minnesota Found a few of these roaming the house recently. I believe this to be the Masked Hunter (reduvius personatus) |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 7/8/2016 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |