Detailed information on Assassin Bug (Zelus longipes)

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HNemerov

Bastrop, TX | May 2023 | Positive

I am a Texas Certified Master Gardener who has done a lot of research, publishing, and public speaking. I have an interest in Entomology, too. Milkweed Assassin Bug does NOT carry Chagas. True that both bugs are in the Reduviidae family, however, subclassification veers from there. Kissing Bugs, which transmit Chagas, are in Subfamily Triatominae while beneficial insects like Milkweed Assassin Bug are in Subfamily Harpactorinae. Bug Guide is an entomology site maintained by Iowa State University.
Kissing Bugs: [[email protected]]
Milkweed Assassin Bug: [[email protected]]

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Struthie

Murrells Inlet, SC | August 2015 | Neutral

This bright orange ASSasin bug BIT ME S000 many times and these bites are NASTY! . . . So, anyway, I'm thinking this nasty ugly insect also bit my 4.5# Yorskshire Terrier --- IF ANYONE has experienced THIS . . . PLEEZ PLEEEZ LET ME KNOW! He's been acting strangely ~ ~ ~ (stumbling, like he can't walk, can't sit stable enuf to eat/drink . . . He's just not the same doggie I had ( b4 whatever happened to him ) . . . ANY ADVICE would be s0 appreciated . . . ⸜⸜ ◟̊◞̊ ⸝⸝
t/y in advance— ◟̽◞̽
TH

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blondhavmofun

Orlando, FL | May 2009 | Positive

this little guy may sting, but he has his benefits. i watched one catch a bee, and eat it. i do know to they eat caterpillars, i had a problem with that but that is the chain of life
debi

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Trumpanche

Dickinson, TX | June 2008 | Neutral

They are pretty bugs, but one bit me on the hand when I accidentally squished it a little - it felt like a wasp sting and is swelling. I hope I live!

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on_off

Houston, TX | October 2007 | Negative

It's true, these little guys bite! I was sitting on my porch last evening, taking a much needed break after a long day to unwind. I felt something on my right arm. I'm thinking mosquitos, so I casually brushed off my right arm with my left hand. It was about one minute later that I felt the samething on my right leg. I knew that feeling wasn't a mosquito, so I immediately jumped up out of the porch chair and franticly started to stomp my feet to shake whatever it was off of me. While brushing my leg with my hands in a downward motion, I headed for the porch light and switched it on. To my amazement their were hundreds of these little guys all over my porch. I don't have any plants on the porch, only an unopened bag of soil. I'm thinking they obviously laid eggs somewhere near my home, I ... read more

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TessC

New Orleans, LA (Zone 8b) | July 2007 | Positive

I can tell you from personal experience that this guy will bite, and it was very nasty.

However, we have tons of these in the garden, and they much prefer to just get out of the way than bite. I've seen them take on bugs much larger than themselves- including a palmetto bug- and win!

I'll take the slight chance of a sting in excange for the guard duty they provide!

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serenity93

Moncks Corner, SC (Zone 8b) | July 2007 | Negative

My other research has left me with the conclusion that they do indeed bite. Apparently it stings severely, leaving a large welt with a red (blood) center.

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LouisianaMark

Dover, NJ | May 2007 | Positive

These bugs reportedly eat other bugs, but I think they may also feed on my tomatoes. By mid-summer, large numbers of them can be found in overgrown fields and canal banks. They supposedly can bite, although I have never been bitten by one.

7/29/07 - Actually the ones on my tomatoes were probably leaf-footed bug nymphs. They look very similar to the assassin bug nymphs. And you are right Tess about them getting out of the way--they will crawl to the underside of a leaf the second they see you. Since I've been paying more attention, I've seen the assassin bugs eat other unwanted bugs. They are just about the only thing that will eat milkweed aphids. So, I no longer harass the little guys when I see them. The leaf footed bugs--well that's another story!

Assassin Bug

Zelus longipes

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