Masked Hunter (Reduvius personatus)
Image Copyright Lena Abi Chaker
Last Observed: February 2016, Koh Chang
Observed By: Lena Abi Chaker
The masked hunter is a small predatory member of the assasin bug family of insects. It’s another of those “you won’t believe it animals” that Koh Chang seems to specialise in. The photograph isn’t blurred, oh no. The sneaky masked hunter camouflages itself by covering its shell with dust, dirt and small particles of matter. Then it pounces on its unsuspecting prey ot woodlice, lacewings and other smaller insects. It also eats bedbugs in case you require a redeeming feature.
They apparently have a very painful bite which they can use in self defense – but fear not there’s no poison – for a change.
