# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Milkweed Assassin Bug](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Zelus_Longipes.jpg&width=800) Photo: Peppersnack, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zelus_Longipes.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Reduviidae - **Genus:** Zelus ## 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 - **Stabbing Sip:** Milkweed Assassin Bug can pierce prey with its strong proboscis because it helps them inject venom and suck out fluids. - **Paralyzing Punch:** Milkweed Assassin Bug has a potent venom that helps them quickly subdue even larger insect prey. - **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 - **Hunts:** Tobacco Hornworm (*Manduca sexta*) — Preys on larvae that feed on plants. - **Hunts:** [Oleander Aphid](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oleander-aphid) (*Aphis nerii*) — Feeds on aphids often found on milkweed plants. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Predatory birds will eat these bugs. - **Shelter:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Often found inhabiting milkweed plants. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## 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 to identify Milkweed Assassin Bug? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Bainbridge Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bainbridge-commercial-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Bok Tower Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bok-tower-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Heathcote Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heathcote-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Ortega](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ortega) — Florida, US · Neighborhood - [Savannah–Ogeechee Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/savannah-ogeechee-canal) — Georgia, US · Historic Site - [Secessionville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/secessionville-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District [View all places to see Milkweed Assassin Bug](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/milkweed-assassin-bug) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Milkweed Assassin Bug: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/milkweed-assassin-bug)