The Reduviidae is a large cosmopolitan family of the order Hemiptera. Among the Hemiptera and together with the Nabidae almost all species are terrestrial ambush predators: most other predatory Hemiptera are aquatic. The main examples of nonpredatory Reduviidae are some blood-sucking ectoparasites in the subfamily Triatominae. Though spectacular exceptions are known, most members of the family are fairly easily recognizable; they have a relatively narrow neck, sturdy build, and a formidable curved proboscis. Large specimens should be handled with caution, if at all, because they sometimes defend themselves with a very painful stab from the proboscis.
The Emesinae, or thread-legged bugs, are a subfamily of the Reduviidae. They are conspicuously different from the other reduviids by their very slender body form. They are stalking, predatory insects that can be collected on palm fronds, cliffs, spider webbing, or near lights at night. They walk on their mid and hind legs; the front pair is raptorial. Some groups specialize on spiders. Very little is known about emesines except that many species are found in the tropics. Pedro Wygodzinsky wrote the most recent revision of this group.
The Harpactorinae are a large subfamily of the Reduviidae. About 300 genera and 2,000 species worldwide have been described. Some of the species of the genera Zelus, Pselliopus, Sinea, and Apiomerus are of interest as biological pest control agents.
The Metapterini are a tribe of thread-legged bugs, assassin bugs of subfamily Emesinae.
The Holoptilinae are a subfamily of Reduviidae known as feather-legged bugs or ant wolves. Several members of the subfamily specialize on ants. About 16 genera are known, with about 80 species described. Species in the Holoptilini tribe possess a specialized organ called a trichome to attract ants.
Brontostoma is a neotropical genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. About 20 species have been described. These species are brightly colored with reds and oranges, and like all members of the Ectrichodiinae, specialize on millipede prey.
The Reduviinae are a subfamily of the reduviid assassin bugs. Many members of the subfamily are nocturnal and their lifecycles are generally poorly known. This subfamily is suspected not to be monophyletic.
Acholla is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are at least three described species in Acholla, found in North America.
Gnathobleda is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are at least four described species in Gnathobleda.
Microtomus is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are about 10 described species in Microtomus.
Microtominae is a subfamily of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are at least 2 genera and about 19 described species in Microtominae.
Pnirontis is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are more than 30 described species in Pnirontis.
Diaditus is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are about six described species in Diaditus.
Castolus is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are about 16 described species in Castolus.
Narvesus is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are at least two described species in Narvesus.
Doldina is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are about eight described species in Doldina.
Heza is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are more than 30 described species in Heza found in the Americas.
Ctenotrachelus is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are more than 20 described species in Ctenotrachelus.
Rocconota is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are about 10 described species in Rocconota.
Salyavatinae are a subfamily of the assassin bugs. They have a pan-tropical distribution with about 16 genera. They have two foretarsal segments and have a patch of fine hairs known as the fossula spongiosa on the fore and mid tibia. Many species tend to have spines on the head, pronotum, legs and abdomen. A few species have the foretibia flattened into leaf-like structures.
