ExploreInsects

Milkweed Assassin Bug

Zelus longipes

The Milkweed Assassin Bug is a cool insect that loves to hang out on milkweed plants. It has a long body and sharp mouthparts to catch its food, which are other bugs!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Milkweed Assassin Bug is a slender insect, typically reddish-orange or black, sometimes with dark markings. It has long, spindly legs and a distinctively narrow head with a prominent, curved proboscis.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHemipteraFamilyReduviidaeGenusZelus
Milkweed Assassin Bug
solitary trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badgeambush_predator trait badge
Milkweed Assassin Bug

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Baby assassin bugs, called nymphs, look like tiny, wingless versions of their parents!

If threatened, they might deliver a painful, bee-like bite to humans!

Some assassin bugs can make a squeaking sound by rubbing parts of their body!

They are excellent natural pest controllers, helping farmers protect their crops!

Special abilities

Ability

Stabbing Sip

Milkweed Assassin Bug can pierce prey with its strong proboscis because it helps them inject venom and suck out fluids.

Ability

Paralyzing Punch

Milkweed Assassin Bug has a potent venom that helps them quickly subdue even larger insect prey.

Ability

Sticky Trap Legs

Milkweed Assassin Bug has sticky hairs on its front legs that help them capture and hold struggling prey securely.

Measurements & details

Size
12-20 mm
Lifespan
30-90 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

These bugs are expert hunters, feasting on a variety of other insects they catch!

Primary Foods

  • caterpillars
  • aphids
  • leafhoppers
  • small beetles
  • flies

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These bugs are not harmful, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Milkweed Assassin Bug?

12-20 mm

How long does Milkweed Assassin Bug live?

30-90 days

What does Milkweed Assassin Bug eat?

These bugs are expert hunters, feasting on a variety of other insects they catch!

Where is Milkweed Assassin Bug usually found?

Grasslands

How does Milkweed Assassin Bug hunt?

Ambush

How many legs does Milkweed Assassin Bug have?

6

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Insects