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.Taxonomic Revision of Zelus Fabricius. Heteropteran Systematics Lab. University of California, Riverside.
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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