Assassin Bugs in Florida: Killers You Can Thank (for a Thriving Garden!)
Assassin Bugs may sound like something from a bad horror flick, and if you live in (or visit) Florida, you definitely know about the thousands of bugs here. But assassin bugs are some of the most beneficial insects you can have in your Florida garden!
So before squishing, smacking, swatting and spraying with toxic chemicals… consider that some of those bugs are actually doing incredibly important work for you, naturally!
The Good, the Bad, and the Squished
Before we delve into the fascinating world of assassin bugs, let’s address a common urge: grabbing the insecticide at the first sight of a bug and smashing it into goo.
STOP! Identifying the insect is key. Many seemingly creepy crawlies are actually beneficial predators, like our friends the assassin bugs.
Here are two easy ways to identify bugs you encounter:
- Bug Guide website providing tons of insect photos and helpful information on each
- Picture Insect app for your phone where you take a photo of the insect you want to identify, and it will return helpful information in about a second! Amazing!
Florida’s warm climate is a breeding ground for all sorts of bugs. The good news is, many beneficial insects act as natural pest control. Assassin bugs, ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantises are nature’s pest-busting heroes.
What Makes an "Assassin" Bug?
Assassin bugs aren’t just a scary name – they’ve earned their title! These beneficial insects belong to the Reduviidae family, a large group with over 7,000 species worldwide. But what exactly makes them assassins?
There are a few key features that define these stealthy predators:
- Lethal Weapon: Assassin bugs are equipped with a specialized mouthpart called a proboscis. This straw-like appendage can pierce their prey and inject a potent venom.
The venom not only immobilizes the victim but also liquefies its insides, allowing the assassin bug to suck out the nutritious juices. - Ambush Tactics: Unlike ladybugs or praying mantises who actively hunt, assassin bugs are ambush predators. They lie in wait, often camouflaged amongst leaves or flowers, until an unsuspecting insect wanders by.
Then, with lightning-fast reflexes, they strike, capturing their prey with their grasping front legs. - Variety is the Spice of Life (and Death): While the basic hunting strategy remains the same, assassin bugs come in a surprising variety of shapes and sizes.
Some are larger and brightly colored, while others are smaller and more cryptic. This diversity allows them to target a wide range of prey insects in your Florida garden.
Why Take the Time to Identify Before Killing?
By taking the time to identify the bugs in your garden, you can:
- Save the Pollinators by Avoiding Toxins: Insecticides kill bugs but ALSO kill essential pollinators like butterflies and bees that we need for our food to make more of itself (we love mangos but we wouldn’t have any if we didn’t have bees and butterflies!).
- Protect your health and the environment: Many insecticides are toxic and can leave residues on your fruits and vegetables (and we’ve got way many toxins and chemicals in our regular food supply without adding more at home!)
- Promote a healthy ecosystem: A balanced garden with a variety of insects creates a more resilient environment for your plants.
So next time you see a bug, don’t swat it away! Grab a magnifying glass or your phone’s camera for a closer look, and do some research to see if it’s Mother Nature’s Ninja Warrior at work, or a pest that you can deter with some natural neem oil or diluted dish liquid.
There are many resources online to help identify insects.
Assassin Bugs: Nature's Ninja Gardeners
Now that we know why identification is key, let’s get to know our star assassin bugs!
“Assassin bug” isn’t a single species, but a whole category of beneficial predators in the Reduviidae family. Here’s a sample of the fascinating variety you might find in Florida:
- Milkweed Assassin Bug (Zelus longipes): This brightly colored bug is a common sight near milkweed plants, where it helps protect the food source of monarch butterflies.
- Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus): Named for the spiny ridge on its back, this large assassin bug is a formidable foe for garden pests. They look like prehistoric slow-moving dino-bugs and aren’t harmful to humans, but if they do bite you (pretty rare) the bite wound can sting a lot.
- Eastern Blood-sucking Conenose (Pselliopus insidiosus): Despite the name, this assassin bug primarily feeds on other insects, not blood. Be aware that kissing bugs (Triatoma spp.) are the only type of assassin bug you should be cautious of in Florida, as their bite can transmit a disease.
Remember: This is just a small sampling of the many assassin bug heroes patrolling Florida’s gardens.
Assassin Bugs Kill What?
So, what exactly makes assassin bugs such superstars in the garden? Here’s a hit list of some of the nasty garden invaders they eliminate:
- Aphids: These tiny sap-suckers can decimate your plants. Ever tried growing tomatoes or peppers in your yard? Surely you’ve had aphids on attack mode! With assassin bugs, they might not be able to solve the whole situation, but they WILL help!
Use neem oil or other natural remedy to ward off the aphids while saving these assassin bugs and you’ll be helping to save Planet Earth (from even more forever chemicals and poisonous toxins!) - Caterpillars: Whether it’s munching on your prized roses or stripping your tomato plants bare, assassin bugs will keep these hungry herbivores in check. Example: if you grow tomatoes in your yard, you’ve probably had hornworm caterpillars!
There are assassin bugs that will attack them, and you’ll see the evidence if they are covered in white eggs.
Here’s a great video of an assassin bug attacking a tomato hornworm in action that we found on YouTube. - Stink Bugs: Not only are they smelly, but they also damage fruits and vegetables. Assassin bugs will send these stinkers packing (or, well, liquefying them).
- Leafhoppers: These jumping plant juice drinkers are no match for the assassin bug’s lightning-fast reflexes.
Living with Assassin Bugs
While assassin bugs are generally beneficial, their aggressive nature can be a little startling. If you encounter one in your garden, the best approach is to admire their work from a safe distance.
By understanding the importance of beneficial insects and identifying them before reaching for the chemicals, you can create a healthy and vibrant Florida garden that flourishes naturally.
However, yes, you’ll also want to know about neem oil and other natural solutions. Chances are, you won’t have enough of these fantastically murderous assassin bugs in your garden to combat all the baddies.
So next time you see an assassin bug, thank this little ninja for keeping your precious plants safe from a host of harmful insects!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.