Assassin bugs are the Reduviidae. They are a large cosmopolitan family of "true bugs" or Hemiptera.
They are almost all terrestrial ambush predators.
Most members of the family are easy to recognise: they have a relatively narrow neck, sturdy build and formidable curved proboscis. Large specimens should be handled with care, if at all, because they may defend themselves with a very painful stab from the proboscis.
Rhynocoris - Predacious flower assassin bug from South Africa. May bite when carelessly handled; painful after-effects often last for months.
Assassin bug camouflaged with debris, Australia.
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