White Spot Assassin Bug


In the Wild:

These very active and aggressive predators have a venomous bite which they use to subdue their prey. They then drink through their rostrum. The assassin bug also spray their venom in defence which they aim towards the eyes of the threat. If the venom hits the eyes, it can cause temporary blindness. Only the adults have the two white spots which act as a warning to any potential predator that these insects are toxic. When they moult, they turn bright red which also acts as a warning.

VIEW ON OUR MAP

Quick Facts

  • Lifespan: 2 years
  • Distribution: West Africa
  • Habitat: Tropcial Forest

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...

  • I thoroughly recommend the outreach programme. The presence of live animals in the classroom inspired my students and helped their understanding of many parts of the science national curriculum. The interpretation officers are informative and very knowledgeable. They pitched their presentation at the appropriate level, encouraging students to ask many questions and were happy to discuss my needs before the talk to ensure its relevance to my class. The whole event was a very easy way to organise a really exciting experience.

  • I just want to say a huge THANK YOU for a wonderful experience that my family enjoyed yesterday at Shepreth.

    Despite the unfortunately changeable weather on Saturday my partner and I along with our 3 children (aged 3,6 and 9) had a most enjoyable day. There was so much to see, do, stroke, learn about, play on, etc that we didn’t want to leave!

    However the icing on the cake for all of us was when we went into Bug City where we met a charming and informative keeper who showed us some of the animals and answered lots of questions from my inquisitive 9 year old about spiders, lizards, snakes and scorpions.

    Please pass on our gratitude to all your friendly staff as it was so nice to take my family somewhere that catered for all ages and where the staff clearly are enjoying what they do and not forgetting all the animals that are so well looked after and cared about.

    Looking forward to visiting again when we can – please keep up the great work!

  • The education team are truly inspirational and clearly love the job they do. The children and adults all had a great time and will have many memories of the animals they had a chance to meet and handle. Thank you so much for taking the time to incorporate polar bear into your session as this helped to make it a more purposeful session for the children. Seeing their faces when they saw the pictures from our story on your board was priceless! The children loved seeing all the animals around the park and I wish you had been there to see them ask ALL the animals “Do you want to be friends with Polar Bear” and when the animals ran off the children said ” We will take that as a no then”. We look forward to coming back in the future.

  • Many thanks to ALL, Owain absolutely loved his Experience Keeper Day,  fact that much he wants to do  it again next birthday also,

    So Many Thanks Again to all.

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