Milkweed Assassin Bug vs Florida Leaf-footed Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Milkweed Assassin Bug | Florida Leaf-footed Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zelus longipes | Acanthocephala femorata |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Reduviidae | Coreidae |
| Size | 16-20 mm | 18-22 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Orchards |
| Diet | Predators | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | North America, Central America, South America | Southeastern United States, Caribbean |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Milkweed Assassin Bug
A slender, brightly colored assassin bug with red and black markings. It is a generalist predator common in gardens and agricultural fields.
Did You Know?
It coats its legs with sticky resin to trap small insects, functioning as a living flypaper strip.
Florida Leaf-footed Bug
A large robust coreid bug with distinctive leaf-like expansions on its hind tibiae. It is dark brown to black with slightly expanded pronotal margins. Males possess greatly enlarged hind femora used in intrasexual combat.
Did You Know?
When threatened, it can release a pungent spray from scent glands that smells like rotten almonds and can stain skin temporarily.