The Reduviidae is a large cosmopolitan family of the order Hemiptera. Among the Hemiptera and together with the Nabidae almost all species are terrestrial ambush predators; most other predatory Hemiptera are aquatic. The main examples of nonpredatory Reduviidae are some blood-sucking ectoparasites in the subfamily Triatominae. Though spectacular exceptions are known, most members of the family are fairly easily recognizable; they have a relatively narrow neck, sturdy build, and a formidable curved proboscis. Large specimens should be handled with caution, if at all, because they sometimes defend themselves with a very painful stab from the proboscis.
Apiomerus is a genus of conspicuous, brightly colored assassin bugs belonging to the family Reduviidae. The species can be found in the United States ranging into tropical America. The common name bee assassins derives from their frequent habit of sitting and waiting upon flowers and taking bees as prey. The bright colors are aposematic, likely a warning to larger predators that a painful bite can be delivered.
The Harpactorinae are a large subfamily of the Reduviidae. About 300 genera and 2,000 species worldwide have been described. Some of the species of the genera Zelus, Pselliopus, Sinea, and Apiomerus are of interest as biological pest control agents.
Zelus luridus, also known as the pale green assassin bug, is a species of assassin bug native to North America. It is the most common Zelus species in the eastern United States. The size ranges from 12.5 to 18 millimetres long. On average, adult females are 16 millimetres (0.63 in) long, while males are 14 millimetres (0.55 in) long. Though the base color is pale green, markings on the back can range from dark brown or red to bright yellow. Nymphs are generally more solid green, wingless, and with narrower bodies than adults. The most reliable feature to distinguish this species from others is the pair of spines on the rear corners of the pronotum. These spines are long on the lighter colored individuals and shorter on ones that are darker. It can also be distinguished by dark bands on the distal ends of the femurs, but these can often be too light to be easily seen. The egg masses, which are laid from late June to August, are conical in shape with a flat top. They are laid on leaves in groups of twenty to fifty and held together with a sticky, brownish material. Their bite is extremely painful.
Harpactorini is a tribe of the Harpactorinae. This group is the most diverse of the entire assassin bug family, with 51 genera recognized in the Neotropical Region and 289 genera and 2003 species overall.
The Stenopodainae are a subfamily of Reduviidae. Many species of this subfamily are endemic to tropical rainforests, and some smear their fore legs with sticky, plant-derived resin, to aid in prey capture.
Melanolestes is a Nearctic and Neotropical genus of assassin bugs (Reduviidae). Nine species are known :
The Peiratinae are a subfamily of assassin bugs (Reduviidae) known as corsairs. The subfamily has a worldwide distribution, but is concentrated in tropical areas. About 30 genera with 350 species are described.
Pselliopus is a common genus of assassin bugs (Reduviidae), in the subfamily Harpactorinae. The genus is restricted to the New World, with 27 species described. Some species, such as Pselliopus barberi, are conspicuous because of their bright coloring and relatively large size. Some species of the genus are of interest as potential biological pest control agents.
Rasahus is a Neotropical genus of assassin bugs (Reduviidae); 26 species have been described.
Sinea is a New World genus of assassin bugs, in the subfamily Harpactorinae. 13 species have been described, mostly from the Southwestern United States and Central America.
Zelus longipes is an assassin bug (Reduviidae) that is a member of the Harpactorinae subfamily. Its distribution ranges include southern North America, Central America, and South America, especially in agroecosystems in Brazil.
Zelus annulosus is an assassin bug found in South America. It frequently associates with Hirtella physophora (Chrysobalanaceae), a plant that houses colonies of plant-ants Allomerus decemarticulatus and provides the ants with nectar.
Zelus renardii, commonly known as the leaf hopper assassin bug, is a predacious insect contained within tribe Harpactorini. Diurnal and found on both wild and crop plants, Z. renardii has spread from its native habitats in western North and Central America into three other biogeographic regions across the globe.
Bactrodes is a genus of reduviids. All known species are from South America.
Zelus cervicalis is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in Central America, North America, and South America.
Castolus is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are about 16 described species in Castolus.
Zelus tetracanthus, the four-spurred assassin bug, is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America. Adults are brown, black, or gray and have a body length of 10-16 mm. Their antennae and legs are long and slender. They have a row of four spurs across their thorax. Both adults and nymphs use a sticky secretion to capture prey.
Rocconota is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are about 10 described species in Rocconota.
Zelus exsanguis is a species of insect.
