Do not be afraid of the Zelus longipes Linnaeus which is commonly called the Milkweed Assassin Bug. Some of our planters might come with these hiding within the foliage but do not be afraid as these are considered good bugs to have in your garden. The Milkweed Assassin Bug feeds on a wide range of soft-bodied prey such as mosquitoes, flies, earthworms, cucumber beetles, and caterpillars. While these guys are not a threat to humans, if not handled properly, a Zelus longipes bite can cause a burning sensation with swelling that may last for several days. So it's better to look but not to handle them.
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