Assassin Bug

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Assassin Bug (family Reduviidae) clicked in Matheran. Found this while browsing through my older files. Not my best image, but I was eager to share this species- a favourite of mine.

One of the most efficient ambush predators of the insect world. The knife-like mouthpart (rostrum) is used to first stab and inject a lethal saliva into the prey (usually other insects) and then as a straw to suck out the liquefied matter. The saliva of some species is potent enough to kill animals many times larger than the bug itself.
Many species of assassin bugs prey on cockroaches, bedbugs etc. and are thus considered important pest controllers. In some regions they are specifically bred for this purpose.

Manual Exposure
Tv 1/200
Av 16.0
ISO 400
Flash On
Flash EC -2/3
Full frame, hand held.
No PP done here.

Thanks, C&C awaited.