Diagnosis and Specialized Morphology
Species of Peiratinae are characterized by:
- short antennal scapus relative to the pedicel
- first visible labial segment is the shortest
- anterior pronotal lobe is longer than the posterior lobe
- enlarged forecoxae
- fortibiae dilated distally and with fossula spongiosa (middle tibiae with fossula spongiosa)
Taxonomic History
Taxonomic history of the subfamily is being reviewed.
Natural History/Biology
The subfamily Peiratinae is found worldwide, comprising of about 31 genera. Species are primarily ground-dwelling and feed on other arthropods (Schuh & Slater 1995). These assassin bugs are fast runners and are well-known for the extremely painful bite they deliver (Schuh & Slater 1995). They are usually attracted to lights.
References
Schuh, R.T., Slater, J.A. 1995. True Bugs of the World (Hemiptera: Heteroptera): Classification and Natural History. Comstock Pub. Associates, Ithaca. 336 pp.