White spot assassin bug

Discover the white spot assassin bug in a vivarium in the Tête-à-tête room at the Insectarium.

White spot assassin bugs prowl the tropical forests of Africa, from Uganda to Guinea.

A fierce predator, this species of true bug stalks its prey, then strikes with precision, using a sharp rostrum—a set of pointed mouthparts—to paralyze its target. Once anchored into the prey’s body, the assassin bug extracts internal tissues before releasing the remains and cleaning itself.

While nymphs hunt cooperatively in groups, adult bugs prefer to hunt alone.

White spot assassin bugs can also spray venom to drive off would-be predators from a distance.

White spot assassin bugs have become a familiar sight at the Insectarium. The hundreds of individuals bred for public display or sent to other museums can all be traced back to just four individuals, originally received by our team.