Zelus cervicalis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hemiptera |
Suborder: | Heteroptera |
Family: | Reduviidae |
Tribe: | Harpactorini |
Genus: | Zelus |
Species: | Z. cervicalis |
Binomial name | |
Zelus cervicalis Stal, 1872 | |
Zelus cervicalis is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in Central America, North America, and South America. [1] [2] [3]
The Reduviidae is a large cosmopolitan family of the suborder Heteroptera 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 non-predatory Reduviidae are some blood-sucking ectoparasites in the subfamily Triatominae, with a few species from South America noted for their ability to transmit Chagas disease. Though spectacular exceptions are known, most members of the family are fairly easily recognizable: they have a relatively narrow neck, sturdy build, and 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Phymata borica is a species of ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in North America.
Oncerotrachelus pallidus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in North America.
Oncerotrachelus is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are about 14 described species in Oncerotrachelus.
Triatoma lecticularia is a species of kissing bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Triatoma recurva is a species of kissing bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in Central America and North America. Like all of the kissing bugs in the genus Triatoma, it is an obligate blood feeder that primarily targets vertebrates. However, individuals can consume the hemolymph of arthropods, and can develop to maturity on a diet consisting entirely of cockroaches.
Zeluroides is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are at least two described species in Zeluroides.
Pseudosaica florida is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in North America.
Pseudosaica is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are at least two described species in Pseudosaica.
Triatoma rubida is a species of kissing bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Triatoma neotomae is a species of kissing bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Reduvius sonoraensis is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in Central America and North America. It can have two types that are discernably different by the fifth instar: those with short wing pads and those with long wing pads.
Sinea coronata is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in the Caribbean Sea, Central America, and North America.
Ctenotrachelus shermani is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in the Caribbean, North America, and South America.
Saica elkinsi is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in North America.
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.