Zelus (bug)

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]

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
Diplodus Amyot & Serville, 1843 (Homonym) Pindus Stål, 1862

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