Zelus longipes

Zelus longipes is an assassin bug (Reduviidae) that is a member of the harpactorinae subfamily. Its distribution ranges include southern North America, Central America, and South America (except Chile), especially in agroecosystems in Brazil.

Z. longipes has been considered as a potential biocontrol agent, as it prefers caterpillars of Spodoptera frugiperda, which is a moth that is a pest in cornfields. Z. longipes prefers smaller caterpillars, probably because there is less risk of injury while subduing smaller prey.