Zelus longipes explained

Zelus longipes is an assassin bug (Reduviidae) that is a member of the Harpactorinae subfamily. Its distribution ranges include southern North America, Central America, and South America (except Chile),^[1] especially in agroecosystems in Brazil.

Zelus longipes has been considered as a potential biocontrol agent, as it prefers caterpillars of Spodoptera frugiperda, which is a moth that is a pest in cornfields. ^[2] The species is a generalist predator, commonly used to combat picture-winged flies (Diptera: Ulidiidae), which cause damage to sweet corn yields in Florida. ^[3] Z. longipes prefers smaller caterpillars, probably because there is less risk of injury while subduing smaller prey.^[4]

External links

• Zelus longipes on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site

Notes and References

1. Hart, E. R., 1986: Genus Zelus Fabricius in the United States, Canada, and Northern Mexico (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 79, 535–548
2. Sparks, A. N., 1979: A review of the biology of the fall armyworm. Fla. Entomol. 62, 82–87
3. M. Kalsi, D. R. Seal, G. S. Nuessly, J. L. Capinera, C. G. Martin, Distribution of Zelus longipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in South Florida Corn Fields and Its Functional Response to Corn-Infesting Picture-Winged Flies (Diptera: Ulidiidae), Environmental Entomology, Volume 43, Issue 5, 1 October 2014, Pages 1223–1234
4. Web site: Influence of prey size on predation success by Zelus longipes L. (Het., Reduviidae) . R. Cogni, A. V. L. Freitas and B. F. Amaral Filho . J. Appl. Ent. 126, 74–78 (2002).