Sundew Assassin Bug
The Sundew Assassin Bug (Zelus luridus) is a species of true bug of the order Hemiptera, in the family Reduviidae. Most members of this insect family are fairly easily recognizable by the long curved proboscis called a rostrum, which it folds under its head when not in use.
Assassin bugs should be handled with care because they are known to defend themselves with a very painful stab from the proboscis. The painful reaction is caused by the injection of toxic saliva which is used to immobilize and digest the internal organs of their insect prey.
Insects in the genus Zelus often use a sticky material produced by a gland on their legs as a way to catch their prey. This gland only develops in the second of five instars - the nymphal stages before becoming an adult. During the first instar just after hatching, the nymphs collect secretions deposited on the eggs by the female as the source of this sticky material. Zelus luridus gets its common name from the carnivorous wetland plant the Sundew that catches its prey using the same "fly-paper" strategy.
Assassin bugs are beneficial insect predators, feeding on a wide variety of landscape and garden pests including the fall webworm, tent caterpillar, Mexican bean beetle, and June beetles, so if you find one let it go about its business.
Sundew Assassin Bug
The Sundew Assassin Bug (Zelus luridus) is a species of true bug of the order Hemiptera, in the family Reduviidae. Most members of this insect family are fairly easily recognizable by the long curved proboscis called a rostrum, which it folds under its head when not in use.
Assassin bugs should be handled with care because they are known to defend themselves with a very painful stab from the proboscis. The painful reaction is caused by the injection of toxic saliva which is used to immobilize and digest the internal organs of their insect prey.
Insects in the genus Zelus often use a sticky material produced by a gland on their legs as a way to catch their prey. This gland only develops in the second of five instars - the nymphal stages before becoming an adult. During the first instar just after hatching, the nymphs collect secretions deposited on the eggs by the female as the source of this sticky material. Zelus luridus gets its common name from the carnivorous wetland plant the Sundew that catches its prey using the same "fly-paper" strategy.
Assassin bugs are beneficial insect predators, feeding on a wide variety of landscape and garden pests including the fall webworm, tent caterpillar, Mexican bean beetle, and June beetles, so if you find one let it go about its business.