Platymeris biguttatus, the two-spotted assassin bug, is a venomous predatory true bug of west and southwest African origin ranging in size from 10–40 mm. As a true bug of the order hemiptera, it has needle like mouth parts designed for sucking juices out of plants or other insects instead of chewing. P. biguttatus has sharp stylets in its proboscis or rostrum used to pierce the exoskeleton of its prey. Saliva is then injected into the prey which liquifies its tissues, and the rostrum is then used to suck out the digested fluids. If disturbed, it is capable of a defensive bite considered to be more painful than a bee sting. It is also known to spit venom that can cause temporary blindness in humans.
Prey typically consists of cockroaches, crickets, flies, darkling beetles and caterpillars.
It was thought that they breed both sexually and through parthenogenesis, this however has recently been proved to not be true. Whilst unmated females will lay eggs, they are infertile. Development takes six to nine weeks from egg to adult and life span for the adult is about two years. The first molt occurs at about two weeks Development is hemimetabolous, meaning that there is no metamorphosis between a larval phase and an adult phase. The young are called nymphs, and appear to be small adults.
Common names include white-eyed assassin bug, twin spotted assassin bug and white spot assassin bug referring to the two large white spots on the wings.
Platymeris biguttatus is endemic to tropical Africa; it is found in countries such as Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Niger,
Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique in humid tropical forest, particularly hollow tree stumps and decaying logs.
Translated Descriptions (6)
cs
Platymeris biguttatus, dravá ploštice dvoutečná, je jedovatá dravá ploštice západo- a jihozápadoafrického původu o velikosti 10–40 mm. Jako polokřídlý hmyz má jehlovité ústní ústrojí k vysávání šťáv. Vstřikuje sliny, které zkapalňují tkáně kořisti. Při vyrušení může způsobit bolestivé kousnutí nebo plivnout jed, který může způsobit dočasnou slepotu. Kořist tvoří švábi, cvrčci, mouchy, brouci a housenky. Vývoj je hemimetabolní, mladí jedinci se nazývají nymfy. Je endemická v tropických lesích Afriky, zejména v dutých pařezech a tlejících kmenech.
de
Platymeris biguttatus, die zweifleckige Raubwanze, ist eine giftige, räuberische Wanze west- und südwestafrikanischen Ursprungs mit einer Größe von 10–40 mm. Als Hemiptera besitzt sie nadelartige Mundwerkzeuge, um Säfte aus Pflanzen oder Insekten zu saugen. Sie injiziert Speichel, der das Gewebe der Beute verflüssigt. Bei Störung kann sie einen schmerzhaften Biss zufügen oder Gift spucken, das vorübergehende Blindheit verursachen kann. Die Beute besteht aus Kakerlaken, Grillen, Fliegen, Käfern und Raupen. Die Entwicklung ist hemimetabol, die Jungen werden Nymphen genannt. Sie ist in tropischen Wäldern Afrikas endemisch, insbesondere in hohlen Baumstümpfen und verrottenden Baumstämmen.
es
wikipedia
Platymeris biguttatus, la chinche asesina de dos manchas, es una chinche depredadora venenosa originaria de África occidental y sudoccidental, con un tamaño de 10 a 40 mm. Como hemíptero, posee piezas bucales en forma de aguja para succionar fluidos. Inyecta una saliva que licua los tejidos de la presa. Si se le molesta, puede infligir una picadura dolorosa o escupir veneno que puede causar ceguera temporal. Sus presas incluyen cucarachas, grillos, moscas, escarabajos y orugas. El desarrollo es hemimetábolo, las crías se llaman ninfas. Es endémica de los bosques tropicales africanos, encontrándose particularmente en tocones de árboles huecos y troncos en descomposición.
fr
Platymeris biguttatus, la punaise assassine à deux taches, est une punaise prédatrice venimeuse originaire d'Afrique de l'Ouest et du Sud-Ouest, mesurant de 10 à 40 mm. En tant qu'hémiptère, elle possède des pièces buccales en forme d'aiguille pour aspirer les fluides. Elle injecte une salive qui liquéfie les tissus de sa proie. Si elle est dérangée, elle peut infliger une morsure douloureuse ou cracher du venin pouvant causer une cécité temporaire. Ses proies incluent cafards, grillons, mouches, coléoptères et chenilles. Le développement est hémimétabole, les jeunes sont appelés nymphes. Elle est endémique des forêts tropicales africaines, se trouvant notamment dans les souches d'arbres creuses et les troncs en décomposition.
it
Platymeris biguttatus, la cimice assassina a due macchie, è una cimice predatrice velenosa originaria dell'Africa occidentale e sud-occidentale, con dimensioni tra 10 e 40 mm. Come emittero, possiede apparati boccali ad ago per succhiare i fluidi. Inietta una saliva che liquefa i tessuti della preda. Se disturbata, può infliggere un morso doloroso o sputare veleno che può causare cecità temporanea. Le prede includono scarafaggi, grilli, mosche, coleotteri e bruchi. Lo sviluppo è emimetabolo, i giovani sono chiamati ninfe. È endemica delle foreste tropicali africane, trovandosi in particolare in ceppi d'albero cavi e tronchi in decomposizione.
pt
Platymeris biguttatus, o percevejo-assassino de duas manchas, é um percevejo predador venenoso originário da África Ocidental e Sudoeste, com 10-40 mm de tamanho. Como hemíptero, possui peças bucais em forma de agulha para sugar fluidos. Injeta saliva que liquefaz os tecidos da presa. Se perturbado, pode infligir uma picada dolorosa ou cuspir veneno que pode causar cegueira temporária. As presas incluem baratas, grilos, moscas, besouros e lagartas. O desenvolvimento é hemimetábolo, os jovens são chamados ninfas. É endémico das florestas tropicais africanas, encontrando-se particularmente em tocos de árvores ocos e troncos em decomposição.
