Assassin Bug (Zelus longipes)

Order: Hemiptera (he-MIP-ter-a) (Info) Family: Reduviidae Genus: Zelus Species: longipes Profile: 3 positives 1 neutral 2 negatives Regional... This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions: Mobile, Alabama Orange Beach, Alabama San Diego, California Bithlo, Florida Cypress Quarters, Florida Dunnellon, Florida Homosassa, Florida Mary Esther, Florida Merritt Island, Florida Middleburg, Florida North Port, Florida Poinciana, Florida Sebastian, Florida Timber Pines, Florida Baton Rouge, Louisiana Estelle, Louisiana Maurepas, Louisiana Montz, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana Old Jefferson, Louisiana Kiawah Island, South Carolina Lincolnville, South Carolina Moncks Corner, South Carolina Summerville, South Carolina Dallas, Texas Dickinson, Texas Doyle, Texas Fort Worth, Texas Greatwood, Texas Houston, Texas Lake Jackson, Texas Lampasas, Texas Longview, Texas Lumberton, Texas Pasadena, Texas Pearland, Texas Spring, Texas Member Notes: Rating Author Comment Positive LouisianaMark On May 26, 2007, LouisianaMark from Baton Rouge, LA wrote: These bugs reportedly eat other bugs, but I think they may also feed on my tomatoes. By mid-summer, large numbers of them can be found in overgrown fields and canal banks. They supposedly can bite, although I have never been bitten by one. 7/29/07 - Actually the ones on my tomatoes were probably leaf-footed bug nymphs. They look very similar to the assassin bug nymphs. And you are right Tess about them getting out of the way--they will crawl to the underside of a leaf the second they see you. Since I've been paying more attention, I've seen the assassin bugs eat other unwanted bugs. They are just about the only thing that will eat milkweed aphids. So, I no longer harass the little guys when I see them. The leaf footed bugs--well that's another story! Negative serenity93 On Jul 18, 2007, serenity93 from Moncks Corner, SC (Zone 8b) wrote: My other research has left me with the conclusion that they do indeed bite. Apparently it stings severely, leaving a large welt with a red (blood) center. Positive TessC On Jul 24, 2007, TessC from New Orleans, LA (Zone 8b) wrote: I can tell you from personal experience that this guy will bite, and it was very nasty. However, we have tons of these in the garden, and they much prefer to just get out of the way than bite. I've seen them take on bugs much larger than themselves- including a palmetto bug- and win! I'll take the slight chance of a sting in excange for the guard duty they provide! Negative on_off On Oct 4, 2007, on_off from Houston, TX wrote: It's true, these little guys bite! I was sitting on my porch last evening, taking a much needed break after a long day to unwind. I felt something on my right arm. I'm thinking mosquitos, so I casually brushed off my right arm with my left hand. It was about one minute later that I felt the samething on my right leg. I knew that feeling wasn't a mosquito, so I immediately jumped up out of the porch chair and franticly started to stomp my feet to shake whatever it was off of me. While brushing my leg with my hands in a downward motion, I headed for the porch light and switched it on. To my amazement their were hundreds of these little guys all over my porch. I don't have any plants on the porch, only an unopened bag of soil. I'm thinking they obviously laid eggs somewhere near my home, I haven't found the spot yet. Just can't get that feeling to get out of my mind, too fresh. Today, I have counted at least 30+ bites on my arm and leg. Neutral Trumpanche On Jun 14, 2008, Trumpanche from Dickinson, TX wrote: They are pretty bugs, but one bit me on the hand when I accidentally squished it a little - it felt like a wasp sting and is swelling. I hope I live! Positive blondhavmofun On May 28, 2009, blondhavmofun from Orlando, FL wrote: this little guy may sting, but he has his benefits. i watched one catch a bee, and eat it. i do know to they eat caterpillars, i had a problem with that but that is the chain of life debi

By LouisianaMark By LouisianaMark By LouisianaMark By serenity93 By serenity93 By LouisianaMark By DebinSC There are a total of 15 photos. Click here to view them all!