Zelus assassin bug (likely Zelus renardii or Leaf-hopper Assassin Bug)

Natural Habitat

Gardens, orchards, crops, and various vegetation across North and Central America.

Diet & Feeding

Generalist predator; eats a wide variety of insects including aphids, leafhoppers, caterpillars, and small beetles.

Behavior Patterns

Diurnal hunters that use a 'wait and ambush' strategy. They secrete a sticky substance on their forelegs to help snag their prey and inject a lethal enzyme that liquefies the insides of their target.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial to the ecosystem and gardeners as a form of natural pest control. While generally not aggressive toward humans, they can deliver a painful bite if handled or provoked, though they are not medically significant.

Identified on: 2/9/2026