Platymeris rhadamanthus (also known as the red spot assassin bug) is a species of true bugs belonging to the family Reduviidae.[1]
Platymeris rhadamanthus can reach a length of 3.8-. The basic color of the body is black, with orange or red spots on the hemelytra. The legs are covered with short hair, and femurs are crossed by a red band. Both the orange-spot and red-spot color forms have the same morphological characters including the morphology of male and female genitalia.[2] This venomous nocturnal predator has needle-like mouth parts designed for sucking juices out other insects. It has a painful sting, comparable to that of a hornet. It feeds on small invertebrates, but mainly on the rhinoceros beetles.[3]
Historically, the orange color form has also been known as Platymeris sp. "Mombo" in the pet trade, however it is now known to be a color form of P. rhadamanthus.
This species can be found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zanzibar.[1] It prefers open areas with small participation of tree vegetation.[2]