Orange Assassin Bug vs Tessaratomid Giant Shield Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Orange Assassin Bug | Tessaratomid Giant Shield Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Platymeris rhadamanthus | Tessaratoma papillosa |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Reduviidae | Tessaratomidae |
| Size | 28-35 mm | 25-30 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Orchards |
| Diet | Predators | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | East Africa | South and Southeast Asia, China |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Orange Assassin Bug
A large black assassin bug with striking orange-red markings on the connexivum and legs. Found in East African forests where it hunts other arthropods. Like other Platymeris species, it can spit defensive saliva.
Did You Know?
In captivity, it is one of the most commonly kept pet insects, valued for its dramatic coloring and fascinating predatory behavior.
Tessaratomid Giant Shield Bug
A very large, robust shield bug that is a serious pest of lychee and longan trees in Asia. Adults are yellowish-brown and can spray a caustic defensive fluid. It is one of the largest true bugs in the Hemiptera order.
Did You Know?
It can spray a caustic chemical from its thoracic glands that causes intense burning pain and temporary blindness if it contacts the eyes of a predator or person.