Assassin bugs are soldiers of the garden

By Stephanie Hughes

OSU Ext. master gardener volunteer

Assassin bugs are the first line of defense insects of the garden and are wonderful guards of the flowers and any crop you may plant in the garden.

They are all predatory, capturing and feeding on many destructive insects that harm or kill many of our crops – from flowers to vegetables.

They all feed by stabbing with their long soda straw-like mouth, injecting fluids of toxins, digestive and anticoagulant fluids into their prey. Some have fluids that paralyze the prey.

Then the assassin bug begins to feed, sucking the fluids from their victim.

Who needs science fiction movies when nature is this interesting?

Assassin bugs range from 1/8 to 1 Ω inches, have a long narrow head, round beady eyes and a needle-like beak. They are fast on the ground, but poor flyers.

They feast on many insects – caterpillars, leafhoppers, aphids, flies and even cockroaches.

The young nymphs look very different, so be careful not to kill this beneficial bug or crush its eggs that are laid in clusters on branches, stems and leaves.

Assassin bugs and stink bugs both belong to the order Hemiptera. So, be sure not to confuse these good guys with the stink bugs.

There are more than 160 species in the United States, and many live right here in Ohio, including:

The wheel bug (Arilus cristatus), with a large cog-like crest to the thorax; 1 Ω inches; grey.

The ambush bug (Phymata sp.) sits in flowers to ambush its prey; colored to camouflage itself; has thicker front legs for grasping; Ω inch.

The spined assassin bug (Sinea diadema) when golden rod is in bloom (as now), sits in wild flowers as well, æ inch; grey.

The bee assassin bug (Apiomerus crassipes): bees, flies, and some pollinators that the assassin actively hunts; dark with red marks on body; æ inch.

Zelus sp. (and/or Zelus exsanguis or lurides) in trees and shrubs; bright green; æ inch.

Psellopus sp.: black, blended with bright orange bodies; æ inch.

Corsair bug (Melanstestes sp.) 1 inch; hunts in rocks, logs, leaf litter, for ground dwellers (caterpillars, worms, crickets are favorites); lures insects with pheromones and behaviors, as this is a generalist bug.

Ohio has no assassin bugs that can harm people. They can (and will) inflict pain, if handled, with the toxins, giving an allergic reaction. A powerful stinging can occur. It is best to leave them alone to do their jobs.

Learn more about them at http://go.osu.edu/assassinbugs.