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Zelus (bug)

Zelus is a genus of insects in the family Reduviidae, the assassin bugs. There are currently 60 described species; most occur in Central and South America, and five are found in North America. Some species have been investigated for their potential as biocontrol agents in integrated pest management. Zelus is also known for a sticky trap predation strategy. Sticky resin produced from a leg gland is smeared on hairs to aid in prey capture. This is somewhat analogous to the carnivorous plant sundew. File:Zelus nymph.webm|thumbtime=49|A 5 mm Zelus nymph on Hooker's evening primrose with a colony of aphids. Temperarure was about ; this video is played at double speed. File:Zelus nymph grooming.webm|thumbtime=150| 5mm Zelus nymph, an assassin bug, grooming on Hooker's evening primrose. Species include: * Zelus annulosus * Zelus araneiformis Haviland * Zelus bilobus * Zelus cervicalis * Zelus exsanguis * Zelus leucogrammus (Perty, 1833) * Zelus longipes – milkweed assassin bug * Zelus luridus Stål, 1862 – pale green assassin bug * Zelus renardii – leafhopper assassin bug * Zelus tetracanthus Stål, 1862

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Article summary

Zelus is a genus of insects in the family Reduviidae, the assassin bugs. There are currently 60 described species; most occur in Central and South America, and five are found in North America. Some species have been investigated for their potential as biocontrol agents in integrated pest management. Zelus is also known for a sticky trap predation strategy. Sticky resin produced from a leg gland is smeared on hairs to aid in prey capture. This is somewhat analogous to the carnivorous plant sundew. File:Zelus nymph.webm|thumbtime=49|A 5 mm Zelus nymph on Hooker's evening primrose with a colony of aphids. Temperarure was about ; this video is played at double speed. File:Zelus nymph grooming.webm|thumbtime=150| 5mm Zelus nymph, an assassin bug, grooming on Hooker's evening primrose. Species include: * Zelus annulosus * Zelus araneiformis Haviland * Zelus bilobus * Zelus cervicalis * Zelus exsanguis * Zelus leucogrammus (Perty, 1833) * Zelus longipes – milkweed assassin bug * Zelus luridus Stål, 1862 – pale green assassin bug * Zelus renardii – leafhopper assassin bug * Zelus tetracanthus Stål, 1862

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Discussion questions

  1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
  2. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
  3. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.