Why is this animal unusual?
The beak is a folding dagger. It stays tucked under the head until it’s needed, then swings forward and punches through the armour of prey much bigger than the bug itself.
Why does it look like that?
A narrow head, a short “neck” and long front legs for grabbing. Many are brightly coloured as a warning: their bite is seriously painful for humans too.
Strangest biological feature
Two-in-one spit. It contains one mix of toxins for killing and another for defence, and the bug chooses which to use.
Why is it strange?
Some species glue the empty bodies of their victims onto their backs and walk around under a pile of corpses. It works as camouflage and confuses predators.
Interesting behavioral facts
Certain assassin bugs pluck the threads of a spider’s web to imitate trapped prey – and then kill the spider when it comes to check. Others coat their legs in sticky plant resin to catch insects more easily.
Records held
Blood-drinking “kissing bugs” belong to this family. They spread Chagas disease, which affects millions of people in the Americas.
