Introduction

Reduvius personatus, known as the masked hunter, is one of the more commonly encountered members of the assassin bug family (Reduviidae).Although the adult appears rather plain, the species possesses some remarkable traits.The masked hunter is found across the northern hemisphere, and is generally associated with human habitation - it is synanthropic.The nymph (juvenile) has adaptations that allow it to accumulate a coating of fine debris to disguise itself amongst the dust of the home. It is this habit that gives the species its common and scientific names - personatus meaning 'masked' or 'disguised'.This insect can deliver a painful bite to humans when handled without care, but this causes nothing more than temporary discomfort.The Heteroptera receive little attention from entomologists despite upwards of 500 species being found in Britain alone, yet the group contains many fascinating examples of insect evolution.