Genus Reduvius

reh-DOO-vee-us

Reduvius Fabricius 1775

5 spp. in our area, almost 200 worldwide(1)

8-22 mm; only the introduced R. personatus is over 15 mm(2)

Within the Reduviinae of the region, Reduvius species -- like Pseudozelurus -- have the anterior disc of the pronotum unarmed. They are separated from Pseudozelurus by the shape of the membrane cells and basal margin of the pronotum: specifically, in Reduvius the outer cell of the membrane is wider than the inner cell, and the base of the posterior pronotal lobe is not reflexed; the opposite condition is true in Pseudozelurus.

Additionally, 3 of the 4 species of Reduvius in our region are testaceous (i.e. dull reddish-brown) and smaller than 15 mm (the senilis group). The widespread and extremely common R. personatus is black and similar in size to Pseudozelurus but lacks its reddish coloring.

R. personatus (adventive): Canada and much of the US (synanthropic)(3), rare in CA(2); native spp. in sw. US only (so. CA to w. TX, rarely UT)(1)(3) so dust-covered nymphs (<15 mm long) in this region may or may not be R. personatus

The native senilis group species are restricted to semi-arid regions and have been reported from lodges of wood rats (Neotoma sp.) (Ryckman 1954)

Reduvius personatus is found around buildings and in wooded areas, and is attracted to lights.

Adults and nymphs of R. personatus prey on a variety of small arthropods such as woodlice, lacewings, earwigs, bed bugs (Cimex spp.), and Swallow Bugs (Oeciacus vicarius). The senilis group species are probably generalist predators as well.

Melanolestes species have thicker fore and middle tibiae and a more robust pronotum

Ryckman R.E. (1954) Reduvius senilus Van Duzee from the lodges of Neotoma in San Juan County, Utah (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Bull. So. Cal. Acad. Sci. 53(2): 88.