Termite Assassin Bug - Tegea atropicta

Family Reduviidae, Subfamily Tegeinae

This page contains pictures and information about Termite Assassin Bugs that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.


Adult body length 18mm

This Termite Assassin Bug can be found on gum tree trunk with termite tunnels. The bug there is usually hunting for termites of hiding under barks.


Adult body length 15mm, last instars body length 12mm

In Australia this is the only one member in this subfamily. This Assassin Bug was found in later summer on a gum tree trunk in Wishart Bushland. This bug is known a specialist predator of termites which are found on trees or fallen logs.



The is bright orange red in colour with black pattern. The nymph has the same colour scheme, look the same except wingless. Some of those bugs with fat body and some are relatively thin.


Adult, body length 18mm

We took those pictures in Karawatha Forest on a gum tree trunk during early October. The Assassin Bug was wandering on the tree trunk. It did not care very much on our approaching and taking those pictures. After we took pictures for a few minutes. It flied to another tree trunk a few meter away.



This bug can be found on gum tree trunk with termite tunnrls.




Nymph, body length 15mm



The bug can also be found in Eight Mile Plains near Bulimba Creek early spring in August.