Zelus luridus is a species of true bug (harpactorinae

Harpactorinae

Harpactorinae is a large subfamily of the reduviid . About 300 genera and 2000 species worldwide have been described. Some of the species of the genera Zelus, Pselliopus, Sinea and Apiomerus are of interest as natural enemies of crop pests.-partial list of genera:*Acholla Stål, 1862*Apiomerus...

). This species uses sticky traps as a predation strategy, which is also common to other species in the genus Zelus

Zelus

In Greek mythology, Zelus was the son of Pallas and Styx. Zelus and siblings Nike , Kratos and Bia were winged enforcers who stood in attendance at Zeus' throne and formed part of his retinue....

. The sticky material is produced by a gland on the leg. This gland develops in the second instar

Instar

An instar is a developmental stage of arthropods, such as insects, between each molt , until sexual maturity is reached. Arthropods must shed the exoskeleton in order to grow or assume a new form. Differences between instars can often be seen in altered body proportions, colors, patterns, or...

. During the first instar, the nymphs use secretions deposited over the egg batch by the female as the source of their sticky material.