White Eyed Assassin Bugs, also known simply as Assassin Bugs, are predacious insects with a distinctive look and unique defenses and hunting techniques. They can be found on bushes and tall vegetation.

The Assassin Bug's name probably originates from its feeding habits. This bug generally waits to ambush their victims. In the wild they eat a wide range of insects including other Assassin Bugs, if they are hungry enough. In captivity, they will eat crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and even cockroaches. Most of these can be purchased at your local pet store. Make sure that they are properly fed, as hungry Assassins will eat each other in a pinch. Once their prey is captured, they pierce their meal's skin quickly and this begins the feeding process. They then inject saliva into the prey. For defense, they will rotate their rostrum (part of the mouth) and spray venomous saliva. Their "bite" will produce a burning sensation. They should be handled with extreme care. In captivity their container should be filled with about 1 to 2 inches of sand and a piece of cork bark to climb on. They should be kept dry, at about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so a weekly mist will be more than adequate to keep them healthy.

White-Eyed Assassin Bugs have black bodies, which are marked with two white spots on the back of the wing covers. Their legs are black and yellow. Their name comes from their distinctive wing spots. These spots typically do not develop until maturity. Immature White Eyed Assassin Bugs are easily distinguished from adults. In addition to not having the white spots on their wings, they have red bodies, which do not turn black until after their first molt.

The White Eyed Assassin Bug originates in Kenya, Africa.

The White Eyed Assassin Bug should be handled with extreme care. They are known to bite and if their bite penetrates your skin it will not feel good. Generally the bite is described as a burning sensation.

If you choose to keep more than one Assassin Bug in the same tank, they must never be allowed to get hungry. If hungry they can and will eat each other.

Eggs will be laid on the sand in the tank, and they will look reddish pink when ready to hatch, usually about 21 days after they have been laid. It is not absolutely necessary to remove the eggs from the tank before they hatch. If you do remove the eggs, they need to be placed on damp sand. If the eggs appear dark brown or shiny, they are not yet ready to hatch. Keep newly hatched White Eyed Assassin Bugs away from food until they are at least 2 days old.