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.
| Zelus | |
|---|---|
| Zelus renardii | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| 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 | |
| Species | |
|
About 60, see text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
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.
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
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