| Zelus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Zelus renardii | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Heteroptera |
| Family: | Reduviidae |
| Subfamily: | Harpactorinae |
| Tribe: | Harpactorini |
| Genus: | Zelus Fabricus, 1803 |
| Type species | |
| Cimex longipes Linnaeus, 1767 [1] | |
| Species | |
About 60, see text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Zelus is a genus of insects in the family Reduviidae, the assassin bugs. There are currently 60 described species; most occur in Central and South America, and five are found in North America. [2]
Some species have been investigated for their potential as biocontrol agents in integrated pest management. Zelus is also known for a sticky trap predation strategy. Sticky resin produced from a leg gland is smeared on hairs to aid in prey capture. This is somewhat analogous to the carnivorous plant sundew.
- A 5 mm Zelus nymph on Hooker's evening primrose with a colony of aphids. Temperarure was about 48–50 °F (9–10 °C); this video is played at double speed.
- 5mm Zelus nymph, an assassin bug, grooming on Hooker's evening primrose.
Species include:
- Zelus annulosus
- Zelus araneiformis Haviland
- Zelus bilobus
- Zelus cervicalis
- Zelus exsanguis
- Zelus leucogrammus (Perty, 1833)
- Zelus longipes – milkweed assassin bug
- Zelus luridus Stål, 1862– pale green assassin bug
- Zelus renardii – leafhopper assassin bug
- Zelus tetracanthus Stål, 1862
