Holotrichius innesi

{{Short description|Species of true bug}}

{{Taxobox

| regnum = Animalia

| phylum = Arthropoda

| classis = Insecta

| ordo = Hemiptera

| familia = Reduviidae

| genus = Holotrichius

| species = H. innesi

| binomial = Holotrichius innesi

| binomial_authority = Horvath, 1909

}}

Holotrichius innesi (known as the afrur in part of its range) is an assassin bug found in some Middle Eastern countries. When touched, this insect emits a varying number of stridulating noises in double pulses.{{cite journal |author=U. Yinon, P. Amitaia & A. Shulov |year=1972 |title=The stridulatory mechanism and the analysis of sound produced by the bug Holotrichius innesi (Horvath) (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) |journal=Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology |volume=41 |issue=2 |pages=373–381, IN3–IN7 |doi=10.1016/0300-9629(72)90068-0}}

In the deserts of Israel the afrur ("dirt" in colloquial Hebrew, from its habit of covering itself with dirt) is believed to have a powerful venom, and that it is possibly to blame for deaths attributed to snake and scorpion envenomation. However, no deaths have been formally attributed to it.Caras, R.A. Dangerous to Man. Pelican, 1975. P. 225

Subspecies

  • H. i innesi
  • H. i. rugicollis

References

{{reflist}}{{Taxonbar|from=Q16753845}}

Category:Reduviidae

Category:Insects described in 1909

Category:Insects of the Middle East

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