Zelus Assassin Bug

Description:

The assassin bugs are a diverse group of predators. They range from moderately small to rather large. Most are considered to be beneficial, as they eat caterpillars, leafhoppers, and other plant pests. However, they also eat bees and other pollinators, so they probably are best thought of as neutral. Some of these insects will use their flesh-puncturing beak in defense and can give a painful bite so they should be handled with care. Because assassin bugs feed by sucking out fluids, they take a long time to eat. The result of this is that, unlike predators that chew up their victims and therefore eat quite quickly, they can often be found with prey.

Habitat:

I found this specimen in a lemon tree will close a region of grasslands and woodlands.