Assassin bugs tap spiders to distract them before a lethal strike

The strange behavior seems to lull the arachnids into fatal complacency

image of a Stenolemus bituberus assassin bug

Thread-legged assassin bugs (Stenolemus bituberus, shown) use stealthy movements and antennae taps to hunt dangerous spiders on their own webs.

A. Wignall

Assassin bugs live up to their name. The insects expertly stalk and feed upon other small invertebrates, jabbing them with a venomous proboscis.