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Insect identification #778415

Asked November 27, 2021, 7:00 PM EST

Hello, Could you please identify this insect? It has recently molted and now has noticeable wings. I am attaching three photos. The one with the tape measure was taken two weeks ago. The other was taken recently after it molted. A photo of the molted exoskeleton is also attached. Thank you. Susan Jamison

Summit County Ohio

Expert Response

Thank you for your insect identification question.  From your photos it looks like you have a member of the genus Zelus, or the Assassin Bug family.

Here is a photo that closely resembles your from the iNaturalist site:

https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/117954728

Here is some information from the University of Wisconsin about the Assassin Bug family:

https://uwm.edu/field-station/assassin-bug/

And here is some interesting information from Texas A&M about Assassin Bugs:

https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/landscape/others/ent-1003/

What a beautiful insect!

Karen E Replied November 28, 2021, 4:08 PM EST
Thank you. That is what I found as well. 
I found him on a plant I brought inside for the winter. Should I put him outside on a warmer day? Will he hibernate?

Susan

On Nov 28, 2021, at 4:08 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied November 29, 2021, 10:14 AM EST

I believe that these insects overwinter as adults, so, yes, I would put it outside on a warmer day, which will be midweek where I live in Akron.  Here's a little more information:

https://www2.ipm.ucanr.edu/natural-enemies/assassin-bugs/

Karen E Replied November 29, 2021, 7:33 PM EST

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