Bug of the Week - January 9, 2013

I photographed this Bug of the Week back in August, when the weather was warmer, the flowers were blooming, and there were plenty of insects to be found. (I'm over this winter thing, can you tell?) So here is your insect identification challenge for the week. Do you know what this is? If you do, leave a comment with your answer. Visit next Wednesday for some cyber applause (if you were correct) and to try another challenge.

Last week's insect goes by several common names, as many do. I know this insect as the masked hunter, Reduvius personatus. It's an assassin bug known for its appetite for bed bugs, and it likes to disguise itself with debris and dust bunnies. Kudos to Nigel, Moni, and Spirula for their correct identifications of this cool critter.

_{Photo: © Debbie Hadley, WILD Jersey}