08/23/2026
There are around 200 species of what they call "Assassin bugs".
The milkweed assassin bug is widely distributed throughout North and South America (Hart, 1986). It is a common sight in gardens, agricultural fields and landscaped habitats.
Immature assassin bugs are sometimes brightly colored, perhaps to warn that they bite.
A Milkweed Assassin Bug bite is not dangerous to humans, but it can be highly unpleasant - an intense burning feeling and an itchy bump at the site of the bite or sting.
Milkweed assassin bugs are effective predators that often hide and ambush their prey. They help keep plants safe from destructive insects and contribute to natural control, they eat many common garden pests, including aphids, armyworms, stink bugs, houseflies, mosquitoes, beetles, and large caterpillars. They are also known to feed on nectar from flowers.
Assassin bugs hunt by laying sticky traps and hiding nearby for their prey to get caught. They can also ambush or stalk their prey.
Once prey is trapped, the assassin bug emerges and uses its front legs to impale the prey with its tubular mouthparts, also known as a rostrum.
The assassin bug then injects the prey with a toxin and salivary secretions through its mouthparts.
The salivary secretions dissolve the prey's internal tissues, and the assassin bug uses its rostrum to suck up the prey's bodily contents.
Overall this is a good (beneficial) bug, as long as you let them be and don't mess with them.