Rhynocoris cuspidatus (Ribaut, 1921) (Assassin Bug).
Body length: 10 to 12mm
Adult Season: May to September.
Family Reduviidae (predatory bugs)
Rhynocoris cuspidatus is mainly found in the countries bordering onto the Mediterranean. West from the Iberian Peninsula and over to the East as far as Turkey and bordering countries.
Habitat: Open areas, pastures, meadows and woodland edges.
R. cuspidatus provides parental care and will guard their eggs from would be prey (Parental care is unusual in sub social insects). The larvae go through five growing stages and will stay entirely on the ground, taking cover under stones, rotting wood and various vegetation litter.
This is a large and strong Assassin Bug, feeds entirely on a variety of insects. Typically, will be seen waiting, on or near a flower head, waiting for its prey to land within striking distance. The prey is quickly killed, and will then continue to feed on the soft inside tissue, of the captured prey.
This Assassin Bug’s sting is very painful, for a human being to endure.