the masked hunter

5925     Brittany.  Winnipeg, MB.  Please help! Was found running across my living room carpet.  It’s February but very warm outside and snow is melting.

This is Reduvius ersonatus, a peridomestic species of assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae) known as the masked hunter. These are reported as having a very painful but not dangerous bite. See http://tinyurl.com/23g4bdy for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.