Corsair Assassin Bug vs Pennsylvania Ambush Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Corsair Assassin Bug Pennsylvania Ambush Bug
Scientific Name Rasahus hamatus Phymata pennsylvanica
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Reduviidae Reduviidae
Size 18-24 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Underground Farmland
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions North America, Central America, South America Eastern North America from Canada to the Gulf states
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Corsair Assassin Bug

A nocturnal assassin bug found across the Americas that is attracted to lights. Its painful bite is often mistaken for a kissing bug attack.

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Did You Know?

It is frequently attracted to porch lights and can deliver one of the most painful bites of any North American insect.

Pennsylvania Ambush Bug

A small chunky yellow and brown bug with thickened raptorial forelegs that hides in flower heads to ambush pollinators. It can capture prey many times its own size.

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Did You Know?

It can capture and kill bumble bees and butterflies that are more than ten times its own weight.