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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Bugs (Heteroptera) » Cimicomorpha » Assassin Bugs (Reduviidae) » Harpactorinae » Harpactorini » Zelus » Zelus cervicalis
Photo#523161
what is this? - Zelus cervicalis
Copyright © 2011 Odin Toness

what is this? - Zelus cervicalis
Niceville, Okaloosa County, Florida, USA
June 1, 2011
Size: 15mm
These tend to come covered with debris. Why?

Images of this individual: tag all
what is this? - Zelus cervicalis what is this? - Zelus cervicalis
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Contributed by Odin Toness on 1 June, 2011 - 2:32pm
Last updated 29 March, 2012 - 7:28pm

Moved
Moved from Zelus.
… drswanny, 29 March, 2012 - 7:28pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… v belov, 8 June, 2011 - 3:08pm login or register to post comments

Sticky secretion..
They apparently secrete a sticky substance that helps them hold onto their prey (and most anything else they come into contact with).

See comments here:
… JC Jones, 1 June, 2011 - 9:41pm login or register to post comments

 
"sticky substance"
Thanks, that helps.
… Odin Toness, 2 June, 2011 - 5:32am login or register to post comments

I'd wait for another opinion
but I'd put my money on Zelus tetracanthus, judging mostly from that pronotum, could be wrong though- can't get a great look at it.
… Andrew Meeds, 1 June, 2011 - 4:24pm login or register to post comments

 
"a great look at it"
What view of Zelus could help more in identification? That is, how can I improve my photography to help you id them better?
… Odin Toness, 2 June, 2011 - 5:32am login or register to post comments

 
Actually that look at the pronotum
should probably be enough for an expert.
… Andrew Meeds, 2 June, 2011 - 8:37am login or register to post comments

Reduviidae - Zelus sp.
It is most definitely an Assassin bug. I would say genus Zelus. They are extremely predaceous and typically hide out in bushes or brush and wait to ambush their prey. That is probably why you find them with debris on them.
… jhartsho, 1 June, 2011 - 2:47pm login or register to post comments

Zelus of sorts
others may come up with a sp. name --pls stand by
… v belov, 1 June, 2011 - 2:46pm login or register to post comments

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