Reduviidae
This insect is a species of Reduviidae, a large family of the order Hemiptera – the true bugs. The name Hemiptera (hemi=half; ptera= wings) refers to the fact that species of this order have front wings whose base is coriaceous (leather-like) while the apical half is of the typical membraneous type most commonly associated with strong flyers like flies, wasps, and dragonflies. Hemiptera hind wings are completely membraneous. Presumably the leathery part of the front wing of a bug provides a measure of protection from predators while the membraneous part adds to its ability to fly. Reduviids have the altogether appropriate common name of “assassin bugs”’. All members are predaceous, feeding mostly on a variety of insects but also attacking other arthropods, reptiles and even mammals. Assassin bugs feed by piercing their prey with their retractable syringe-like mouthparts and pumping hemolymph or blood into their stomach. The reduviid subfamily Triatominae, includes species which feed on humans and are the primary vectors of Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Fortunately, African reduviids do not transmit any diseases. Nonetheless one should be wary of touching or picking up a reduviid as they have a very painful bite that hurts for 10 or so minutes.
