The leaf hopper assassin bug Zelus renardii in Cyprus
🦟 Zelus renardii is a polyphagous insect native to North and Central America. It was first reported outside its native range from Greece back in 2011 and has since then become widespread in Europe and the Mediterranean.
🗺️ On the 30th of November 2022 the insect was observed on ornamental plants in Old Strovolos (Nicosia). Since then no further nymphs or adults of Z. renardii were found despite repeated searches. However, an adult individual was spotted in Limassol on February 2023 (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/148674689). As such, the species is probably much more spread than previously known.
🍎 The species is speculated to spread by human activity via plant nursery stock or imported fruit.
📖 Find out more about the species here: https://tinyurl.com/69vkan3s
John E, Kolokotronis D (2023) First record of Zelus renardii Kolenati, 1857 (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) for Cyprus. Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 159: 59–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.31184/M00138908.1591.4177
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