| Zelus longipes | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Family: | Reduviidae |
| Subfamily: | Harpactorinae |
| Tribe: | Harpactorini |
| Genus: | Zelus |
| Species: | Z. longipes |
| Binomial name | |
| Zelus longipes L. |
|
Zelus longipes is an assassin bug that is a member of the (harpactorinae) subfamily. It occurs from the United States south to Central Argentina,[1] especially in agroecosystems in Brazil.
Z. longipes has been considered as a potential biocontrol agent, as it prefers caterpillars of Spodoptera frugiperda, which is a moth that is a pest in cornfields.[2] Z. longipes prefers smaller caterpillars, probably because there is less risk of injury while subduing smaller prey.[3]