Assassin Bug (Platymerus Bigutata)

Assassin Bug (Platymerus Bigutata)

Family: Reduviidae Origin: Kenya, Africa

Temp: 75F-80F (keep dry)

Both adults and nymphs are predacious, they live on bushes and tall vegetation where they catch other insects and suck them dry.

Adults

Description:

All black with two white spots on the back of the wing covers. Black and yellow legs. Will live in a medium-sized 'Pen-Pal' or medium-sized plastic storage jar. These will house approximately fifteen adults.Bird sand to the depth of 1"-2" on the floor of the tank, and a piece of bark for the bugs to climb on. A piece of wet cotton wool, placed in a small lid or a light spray of water once a week is all the moisture that they will need.

Feed

Crickets, mealworms, or waxworms are the preferred food, but cockroaches are also taken.

Males/Females

Both sexes of this species exist, but it is thought that they are also parthonegenic.

Eggs

Adults drop eggs on the surface of the substrate. They are shiny, dark brown in colour, with a cream-white microphile, turning lighter, almost red when ready to hatch. The eggs can either be left in with the adults or collected and placed in a separate container on damp sand, kept warm and humid. They should hatch in approximately 21 days. * N.B. Eggs that appear to be depressed or flat should be removed as they will be infertile and will not hatch.

Nymphs

Description:

All red with black head and black and yellow legs. Turning black after their first moult. Do not feed the nymphs for 24 hours after hatching. They can be reared on small waxworm larvae and then similar sized mealworms.

Warning: Try to keep the hatchlings of similar size together as the larger nymphs will eat the smaller ones. As long as the nymphs are well fed they should not cannibalize.

Note: These bugs can and will bite. They give a burning sensation if they penetrate the skin with their proboscis. Always handle your Assassin Bugs with care.