South FL: Wasp-ish w/ proboscis, Black, Red, White Spots
Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 10:17 PM
I just came across your website the other day and low and behold I head out to garden this afternoon and see this little guy in my backyard! I’ve lived in West Broward (South Florida) all my life and never seen one like this…
It was lying on my pool deck and seems to be on his (or hers) last limbs. 🙁 I placed the little guy on a plant after I took these pics.
It has two pairs of wings (which is reminiscent of a wasp, but it also has a proboscis, and very, very long antennae and legs.
What is this South Florida creature? Is it even from here?
Sunny South Florida
South Florida, West Broward County

Milkweed Assassin Bug

Hi Sunny,
You have found an Assassin Bug and we believe it is a Milkweed Assassin Bug, Zelus longipes. Assassin Bugs are predators, and though most species do not bite humans unprovoked, if they are carelessly handled, they can deliver a painful bite.  The Milkweed Assassin Bug is a local species for your location.

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Greeen asssassination with wings
Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 11:55 AM
I found this bug on my screen that’s on my window. I didn’t want to have this bug roaming around my house before i knew what it was so i close the window and as soon as i did that it hiked up its front legs like a mantis. I saw on your page that it might be an assassin bug? So what is this creature and what does it do?
G-Money
texas

Assassin Bug

Hi G-Money,
Yes, this is an Assassin Bug.  It is difficult to tell from the angle, but we suspect it is in the genus Zelus.

Assassin Bug

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Northern Lower Peninsula Michigan 11/15/2008 Friendly Bug
Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Hi, Love the site! This curious (seemingly) friendly little fellow is the second one I have found in my house in the past week (Nov. 8-15). The first one was all green and they were both found around my computer. The first one I took outside but the weather cooled down and I couldn’t leave this one outside (he stood motionless in the same spot for an hour), so I brought him back in and I have been keeping him in a jar…he doesn’t seem to mind too much. The first photo is a side view and I included a dime in the picture for comparison. The second photo is a top view . I’d just like to know what he is so I can get him some food for the winter before it snows…I’ll let him go in the spring. He is rather interesting to watch. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! Kim
northern lower peninsula (Lewiston) of Michigan…purtineer the tip of the mitten :o)

Assassin Bug Nymph

Hi Kim,
This looks like an immature Assassin Bug in the genus Zelus to us.

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Unusual behavior?
Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 2:22 PM
I found this guy on my writing table, and was surprised to see what he was doing. Is this their normal way of preparing for winter?
BugGuide.net indicates it is an Orange Assassin Bug, Pselliopus. We are in Western Maryland. Second and third photos are slightly clearer, and less interesting. ;^)
MsMuffet
Washington County, Maryland, USA

Assassin Bug

Hi MsMuffet,
Thanks for the wonderful image of a Pselliopus Assassin Bug.  Many Hemipterans, including Boxelder Bugs, Western Conifer Seed Bugs, and Stink Bugs seek shelter indoors when winter approaches.  It seems the same behavior may be true of some Assassin Bugs as well.

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