Assasin bug?

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BobGoblin Vinton, LA May 07, 2009

A friend says she thinks these are good bugs--assasin bugs? I don't have a clue--any help is appreciated so I know whether to keep them or get 'em out of my greenhouse. Thanks!

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Post #6514490
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BobGoblin Vinton, LA May 07, 2009

They are reddish/orange w/ black markings. They fly. I have seen them in the past get pretty good sized (about an inch or so long), whereas these in the photo are smaller.

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV May 07, 2009

They might be nymphs of an assassin bug (family Reduviidae) - check out the images at
http://tinyurl.com/ceng3r and http://tinyurl.com/c7bv5t to see if either resembles the larger, winged forms you have seen. A few leaf-footed bugs (family Coreidae) may have similar appearing nymphs - you might want to keep a close eye on yours to see if any of them are sticking their beaks into any of the plants.

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BobGoblin Vinton, LA May 07, 2009

Nope, that's not them. I found this picture doing a web search for "assasin bug" and this is definitely my bugs, but its the only photo I can find and no further info about whether these are "good" or "bad." The photo caption states "An assassin bug, which is a true bug, as it is a member of the Order Heteropera." The web site is:
http://www.davidlnelson.md/Cazadero/Bugs.htm
You have to scan down just a bit--its the 5th bug photo on that page.

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Post #6514702
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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) May 07, 2009

assassin nymphs, from the little i know, have a distinct dip in the middle of their backs so that it appears that their heads and butts are up in the air....if that helps at all.

Post #6514746
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BobGoblin Vinton, LA May 07, 2009

OK, then these are definitely assasin nymphs. I went to take another look, and was about to post that their head and butts stick up in the air more than that last photo! Too funny! So--are these good or bad?

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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) May 07, 2009

assassins are good bugs. they eat other bugs.

suunto will know more than i do about it but i always leave them alone when i find them in the garden. suunto may also say that even some bad ones have the "dip", in which case we're in trouble! lol

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