Assassin bug (the masked hunter)

5723  From Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  My husband found this bug in our kitchen near one of our windows. It was end of June. Wondering if it is an Assassin bug/kissing bug and if i need to worry about possible infestation or parasites? Only seen this one so far.  Andrea

This is indeed an assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae), but it is not a kissing bug. Specifically, it is Reduvius personatus, a peridomestic species known as the masked hunter. This species has a reputation for a very painful (but not dangerous) bite. See http://tinyurl.com/23g4bdy for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.