Assassin bug

5740  IDENTIFY WHAT TYPE OF BUG THIS IS PLEASE AND THANK You. I was in Florida a few months back. Is it possible it might have came from the beach? Found it in my laundry room where all the scuba, beach items are kept. Please let me know ASAP Cheers! Debbie

This is a nymph of an assassin bug (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) known as the masked hunter (Reduvius personatus). This is a peridomestic species with a wide distribution, and it does have 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.