Zelus (genus)

Zelus
Zelus renardii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Cimicomorpha
Superfamily: Reduvioidea
Family: Reduviidae
Subfamily: Harpactorinae
Tribe: Harpactorini
Genus: Zelus
Fabricus, 1803
Species

About 60, see text

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.[1]

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:

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zelus.
  1. Taxonomic Revision of Zelus Fabricius. Heteropteran Systematics Lab. University of California, Riverside.


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