Zelus luridus
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hemiptera
- Suborder: Heteroptera
- Infraorder: Cimicomorpha
- Family: Reduviidae
- Subfamily: Harpactorinae
- Tribe: Harpactorini
- Genus: Zelus
- Species: luridus
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Zelus luridus: //ˈziːləs ˈlʊrɪdəs//
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Summary
Zelus luridus, known as the pale green assassin bug, is prevalent in North America, particularly in the eastern United States. It is identifiable by its coloration, size, and distinctive pronotum spines. This species preys on insects and uses sticky traps to capture them, with painful bites to humans.
Physical Characteristics
Size ranges from 12.5 to 18 mm long; base color is apple green with varying markings from dark brown or red to bright yellow. Males tend to be darker and have pronounced red leg bands. Nymphs are wingless, solid green, and have narrower bodies than adults. Key identification feature includes a pair of delicate spines on the rear corners of the pronotum, which are longer on light colored individuals and shorter on dark colored ones.
Identification Tips
Look for the pair of delicate spines on the rear corners of the pronotum and check the color markings, which can range from green to brown to red or yellow. The dark bands on femurs may help as well, but can be subtle.
Habitat
Commonly found on leaves, where they wait to ambush prey or actively hunt.
Distribution
Historically found in the Eastern United States, ranging from Quebec to Florida and from Manitoba to Wyoming and southeastern Arizona; also present in Mexico.
Diet
Predatory; preys on other insects. Utilizes sticky traps to capture prey.
Life Cycle
Lifecycle includes egg, several nymph stages, and adult. Eggs are laid in groups of twenty to fifty on leaves and hatch into nymphs.
Reproduction
Egg masses are laid from late June to August, in a conical shape with a flat top, held together with a sticky, brownish material.
Ecosystem Role
Acts as a predator of various insects, playing a role in controlling insect populations.
Health Concerns
Its bite is extremely painful.
Collecting Methods
- Hand collection from leaves
- Sticky traps
- Light traps
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol
- Pinned specimens
- Relaxing jars
Tags
- insect
- assassin bug
- predator
- Zelus luridus
- hemiptera