Pale Green Assassin Bug

How to identify it

• Adults are elongate, about 14-16 mm, yellow-green to reddish brown with tan or brown wings, a narrow head and a pair of spines on the back corners of the shoulder plate.^[1][2]
• Nymphs are narrower, wingless and green.^[1]
• Egg masses of a couple dozen eggs glued together stand upright on leaves in a cone with a flat top, and are the stage most often noticed.^[1]

Where it lives

Associated with deciduous trees and shrubs in woods and yards; CSU reports it along Colorado's Front Range and MDC in Missouri.^[1][2]

US map: public records from 38 states since 1990 (GBIF). View the map

Biology and life cycle

It overwinters as a late-stage nymph in fallen leaves; adults appear in late spring and females lay a series of egg masses.^[1]

It ambushes prey from leaves or hunts actively, taking small flies, wasps, sawflies and caterpillars.^[1]

Damage and signs

• It does no plant damage; it preys on other insects.^[1]

Health risk

Neither source reports a risk to people.^[1][2]

Control

Prevention

No control is needed; it is a natural enemy of plant-feeding insects.^[1]

Common questions

What is the skinny green bug with long legs on my shrubs?

Possibly a pale green assassin bug, a predator.^[1][2]

What are the little cone-shaped egg clusters on leaves?

Often pale green assassin bug egg masses.^[1]

Is it harmful?

No; it eats other insects and doesn't feed on plants.^[1]

Sources

1. Colorado State University Extension (Colorado Insects of Interest, W. Cranshaw), “Zelus luridus, A Common Assassin Bug (Colorado Insect of Interest).” wci.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2017/04/Zelus.luridus-1.pdf (accessed 2026-10-15)
2. Missouri Department of Conservation, “Pale Green Assassin Bug (Field Guide).” mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/pale-green-assassin-bug (accessed 2026-10-15)
3. iNaturalist, “Zelus luridus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1580611 (accessed 2026-10-06)