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Assassin Bug

Rasahus hamatus
Chinche Cazadora de Lunar Amarillo
Percevejo-predador

Family: Reduviidae
Order: Hemiptera
Class: Insecta
Phylum / Division: Arthropoda
Kingdom: Animalia

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Description: It is a medium-sized hemipteran insect belonging to the family Reduviidae, characterized by its robust appearance, long legs, and a strong, curved rostrum adapted for piercing and sucking. It usually shows a dark or brownish coloration, sometimes with lighter contrasts on the legs or abdomen, which provides effective camouflage. Like other members of the genus Rasahus, it has an elongated body and a head clearly distinct from the thorax, with prominent eyes that aid in prey detection.

Geographic distribution: It is widely distributed throughout South America, with confirmed records in several countries of the Southern Cone and neighboring regions. Its presence is mainly associated with temperate to warm climates, although it can inhabit a wide range of areas where adequate shelter and prey availability are present.

Habitat: It inhabits a variety of natural and semi-natural environments, including forests, shrublands, grasslands, and rural areas. It commonly shelters under bark, within leaf litter, in soil crevices, or other natural structures, remaining hidden during most of the day. It is an adaptable species capable of persisting in human-modified landscapes.

Feeding: It is a strictly carnivorous and predatory insect, feeding mainly on other arthropods, especially smaller insects. Using its piercing mouthparts, it injects digestive enzymes into the prey and then sucks the liquefied tissues, playing an important role in the natural control of insect populations.

Behavior: It shows mostly nocturnal habits, being more active at night when it searches for prey. During daylight hours it remains concealed, displaying discreet and evasive behavior. Although not aggressive, it can deliver a painful bite if handled or disturbed.

Reproduction: Reproduction is sexual, with egg-laying carried out by the female on protected substrates. Development is hemimetabolous, with several nymphal stages that progressively resemble the adult. Nymphs share predatory habits similar to those of adults.

Conservation status: It has not been formally assessed at a global level and does not have an assigned threat category. Due to its wide distribution and adaptability, it is not currently considered at risk, although habitat loss and pesticide use may negatively affect local populations.


Author of this compilation: EcoRegistros – 22/12/2025




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Number of Photography: 24

Foto
Photography ID: 670536
 
Concordia
Entre Ríos
Argentina
01/30/2026
María Alejandra Sosa
Foto
Photography ID: 662001
  Adult

San Pablo de Reyes
Jujuy
Argentina
12/02/2025
Fernando Durruty
Foto
Photography ID: 619585
  Adult

Necochea
Buenos Aires
Argentina
12/20/2024
Manuel Godoy
Foto
Photography ID: 515540
  Adult

Flores
Flores
Uruguay
11/27/2022
Emilio Lessa
Foto
Photography ID: 491600
 
Carcarañá
Santa Fe
Argentina
04/27/2022
Adrian Braidotti
Foto
Photography ID: 471222
  Adult

El Pinar
Canelones
Uruguay
11/16/2021
Mauricio Silvera
Foto
Photography ID: 436256
 
Las Varillas
Córdoba
Argentina
03/07/2021
Hugo Caverzasi
Foto
Photography ID: 404635
  Adult

Presidente Roca
Santa Fe
Argentina
02/23/2020
Andrés G. Jacquat
Foto
Photography ID: 393471
  Adult

Santo Tomé
Santa Fe
Argentina
04/08/2020
Eduardo Beltrocco



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Number of Recorded Vocalizations: 1



Audio playerUserDateCountryProvincePlaceSexLife stageIt was observedDetails
Carlos M. Grassini07/03/2014ArgentinaEntre RíosBarrio CentroChajaríAdultYesNo


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Number of Records: 40



Page 1 of 4
Record IDDateExact timeCountryProvince / departmentPlaceFilmedPhotographedRecorded vocalObservedHeardWounded or deadNumber of individualsUser or BibliographyDetail
242509030/01/202621:38ArgentinaEntre RíosRemedios Escalada De San Martin 1205, Concordia1María Alejandra Sosa
239631802/12/2025ArgentinaJujuySan Pablo de ReyesFernando Durruty
223944020/12/2024ArgentinaBuenos AiresPaseo de la Ribera, NecocheaManuel Godoy
175419122/04/2023ColombiaBolívarZona residencial, Jardín Botánico Guillermo Piñeres (Turbaco)Kevin Hernández
169112424/12/2022ParaguayCentralSan Antonio, San AntonioCharles Mathias Vera Gomez
169048124/12/2022ArgentinaSanta FeSan Jerónimo Norte1Gustavo Fernando Durán
168013127/11/2022UruguayFloresEstancia La Maluma, Ruta 14, Flores., FloresEmilio Lessa
157494627/04/2022ArgentinaSanta FeZona Urbana, CarcarañáAdrian Braidotti
154195931/01/2022ArgentinaSanta FeAvellaneda1Maximiliano Sager
149553816/11/2021UruguayCanelonesEl PinarMauricio Silvera
Page 1 of 4

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Citation recommended:

EcoRegistros. 2026. Assassin Bug (Rasahus hamatus) - Species sheet. Acceded from https://www.ecoregistros.org on 09/03/2026.










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