An assassin bug uses its short So many bugs! There are many species of assassin bugs (about 7000), so there is not simple answer to this question. Assassin bugs lie in ambush for their insect prey. Notes: Specialized glands produce a highly viscous and sticky substance that coats these specialized hairs. Zelus luridus, also known as the Pale Green Assassin Bug, is a species of assassin bug native to North America. On average, adult females are sixteen millimeters long, while males are fourteen millimeters long. They range in size from 5 to 40 mm (0.2 to 1.6 inches). As outlined in reference (1), the Assassin… Assassin bug, (family Reduviidae), any of about 7,000 species of insects in the true bug order, Heteroptera (Hemiptera), that are characterized by a thin necklike structure connecting the narrow head to the body. The Assassin bug has a stinger on its head as opposed to its thorax. Zelus luridus, also known as the Pale Green Assassin Bug, is a species of assassin bug native to North America. All bugs are not created equal. These 15 Bugs Found In Ohio Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine. This one was at the edge of a patch of low herbaceous plants. Assassin bug identification is pretty easy -- it's finding them that's difficult. A look at assassin bugs, leaf footed bugs, squash bugs and stink bugs points up good reasons to know your bug before you choose its fate. Found on my wood pile, Zelus luridus is the nymph stage of the Assassin Bug. The insects prey on insect eggs, leafhoppers, aphids, larvae, boll weevils and others.The assassin bug is found in crop fields but is also a common insect in the home landscape. Figure 7. You might be surprised to know that Ohio is home to nearly 300 insects, arachnids and other creepy crawlers–and if you’re like me, you’re definitely not OK with the fact that there are spiders in Ohio that can grow beyond the size of an adult’s palm. There are around 150 species of assassin bugs in North America, most of which perform a service to the gardener and farmer. The size ranges from twelve and a half to eighteen millimeters long. An egg mass of the milkweed assassin bug, Zelus longipes Linnaeus, surrounded by a mucilaginous layer and laid on the lower surface of a sweet corn leaf. Dear M. Better, This is an Assassin Bug, most likely in the genus Zelus. There are many species of assassin bugs (about 7000), so there is not simple answer to this question. Assassin bugs have several stages of life. Not all assassin bugs rely on sheer power to subdue their victims. In a previous episode we met the milkweed assassin bug Zelus longipes. In a previous episode we met the milkweed assassin bug Zelus longipes. Egg mass (reference 3) As outlined in reference (1), the Assassin bug lays its eggs on the bottoms of leaves associated with deciduous trees and shrubs. Leaf-footed bugs aren't poisonous, and there is no evidence that they carry parasites or human diseases, although it isn't inconceivable. They then inject their victim with a lethal toxin; Assassin bugs feed by external digestion, which means that they push their beak into their victims body and inject a very toxic, or poisonous, liquid that affects the nerves and liquifies the muscles and tissues of their prey. Good bug, bad bug: How can you tell the difference? Photograph by Megha Kalsi, University of Florida.