

This is a beautiful insect we spotted on the sidewalk just outside the mission office a couple days ago. I am sorry that the close up is so blurry but he would not hold still for long. He appears to be a type of true bug called an "Assassin Bug". They prey on other insects and have piercing, sucking mouth parts and can deliver quite a bite to humans as well. Many people have allergic reactions to the bite so I did not try to catch him. We were fascinated by his unusual colors and their pattern but, most amazing of all, he can "hop" about two feet high and travel a distance of about 2 feet as well! I was amazed as I have never seen a true bug that could hop like that. We have not been able to find any information on him and none of the Koreans we have asked have ever seen one before.