|
|
How to Manage Pests
Identification: Natural Enemies Gallery
Assassin bugs
Scientific name: Zelus renardii the leafhopper
assassin bug; Sinea diadema the spined assassin bug; and others
Click on image to enlarge
|
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Reduviidae
Common prey: Predaceous on a wide variety of small to medium-sized
insects
Commercially available: No
|
DESCRIPTION
Assassin bug adults and nymphs are slender, colorful insects, often
blackish, reddish, or brown. They have long legs; a long narrow head,
round beady eyes, and an extended, 3-segmented, needle-like beak.
Nymphs are quite small, 5 mm (1/4 in) in length when they hatch and
grow to an adult size measuring approximately 2 cm (3/4 inch). Insects
in this order undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Eggs of Zelus spp.
are barrel-shaped, dark brown with a white cap, and are laid openly
in groups on plant surfaces. Adults are poor fliers, and both adults
and nymphs move rapidly when disturbed. All assassin bugs are predators,
some species feed on insects while others feed on the blood of mammals.
Insect-feeding species eat a wide variety of small to medium-sized
insect prey including caterpillars, leafhoppers, other bugs, and aphids.
They also feed on beneficial species such as lacewings. Nymphs and
adults are often seen stalking or laying in wait for their prey, which
they inject with venom once they have caught. Assassin bugs are common
natural enemies on many plants, including row and tree crops.
|
