Assassin Bug ID

[SpookySpooder]

I found a swarm of assassin bug nymphs in the yard when I cut back the thicket of morning glory vines that my neighbor just refuses to deal with.

Was wondering what they are, and if anybody else recognizes them since I can't identify them. This is what I'm looking at:

Assassin Bugs of Texas

www.texasento.net

When I found them, several had tiny leafhoppers or little flies they were feeding on. Currently I got some dead roaches in there, they seem to be fine sucking the juices out of its butt. Some of them are getting really fat.

Found them in Southwest Houston, Sugarland. I suspect they might be too young to identify as they haven't developed any adult colors or markings. Any guesses are appreciated.

 

[sparticus]

I am not really qualified to give you an answer by any means, but it looks like it could be a visual match for milkweed assassin bug nymph, Zelus longipes. That's my best guess. Cool find!

 

[SpookySpooder]

Thanks for the guess, I was thinking Zelus too, but now I'm thinking Pselliopus barberi. I know almost nothing about these insects.

 

[SpookySpooder]

I am not really qualified to give you an answer by any means, but it looks like it could be a visual match for milkweed assassin bug nymph, Zelus longipes. That's my best guess. Cool find!

You got it! I emailed a local entomologist and he confirmed these are nymphs of Zelus longipes.

Thanks!

 

[sparticus]

Awesome! Sounds like they'll be fun to raise!

 

[SpookySpooder]

Yeah, I'm gonna release most of them back into the shrubs but I'll keep maybe 6 of the biggest ones.

They're everywhere around here, there were hundreds of them