Assassin Bug vs Goatweed Leafwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Assassin Bug | Goatweed Leafwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zelus renardii | Anaea andria |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Reduviidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 55-75 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | North America, South America | Central and Eastern United States, northern Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Assassin Bug
Ambush predators that impale prey with their curved beak and inject lethal saliva. Some species coat their legs with sticky plant resin to trap prey. Named for their hunting strategy.
Did You Know?
Some assassin bugs stack the corpses of their prey on their backs as camouflage and armor — creating a gruesome shield of dead ants and other insects.
Goatweed Leafwing
A bright orange butterfly whose angular wing shape and mottled brown underside create a perfect dead-leaf disguise when at rest. It almost never visits flowers.
Did You Know?
It overwinters as an adult, hiding among dead leaves where its camouflage makes it virtually invisible.