| Zelus | |
|---|---|
| Assassin bug nymph, possibly Zelus luridus. (Assassin bugs can deliver painful bites and should only be handled with care.) |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Family: | Reduviidae |
| Subfamily: | Harpactorinae |
| Tribe: | Harpactorini |
| Genus: | Zelus Fabricus, 1803 |
| Species | |
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See Text |
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Zelus is a genus of assassin bug family (Reduviidae), in the subfamily Harpactorinae. There are currently 60 described species, most of which are found in Central and South America.[1] Five species are present in North America.
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.