Assassin Bugs
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It's probably the case that an enterprising entomologist was looking for a flashy nick name for members of the Family Reduviidae, and decided on assassin bug.
They are a fairly large insect family with over one hundred and fifty North American species that range in size and color. The long, three segmented beak seen in the top picture, is the family's common characteristic.
All assassin bugs are capable of inflicting a sharp sting when handled, so leaving them alone is sound advice. Members of the Triatoma genus, common in the Southwest, go by the name kissing bug because of their tendency to bite people around the face.
Bites from Triatoma species are considered a public health problem because the species can transmit a parasite that causes Chagas' disease.
© 2009. Patricia A. Michaels.