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Photo#278000
Prehistoric Bug - Arilus cristatus

Prehistoric Bug - Arilus cristatus
Ellicott City, Howard County, Maryland, USA
October 7, 2007
Size: <4in
Found in an old desk drawer, in a garage near Long Gate Parkway and Rte 29. When I pulled the drawer out, he started to move. The images I have are of him climbing out of the drawer and into the grass. Then he walked over my foot and continued on. At that point, I scooped him up in a bag, and put him in the woods. Because of his huge purple "stinger" (at least that what it looked like to me), I did a little research, and while I can't remember what it was called, I do remember that the sting is very dangerous. And there he went, across my foot, calm as could be. Any info is appreciated. Very pre-historic looking!

Images of this individual: tag all
Prehistoric Bug - Arilus cristatus Prehistoric Bug - Arilus cristatus Prehistoric Bug - Arilus cristatus

Moved
Moved from Assassin Bugs.

Moved
Moved from True Bugs.

Wheel Bug
This is a Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus(1). It belongs to the Assassin Bug family.

 
And instead of stinging,
he actually bites. With his syringe-like beak. Except that it hurts more than a syringe.

 
Wheel Bug
Thanks! Good thing I didn't move my foot when he was crossing it :)

 
Tracy, consider yourself lucky.
You are lucky to have made it out alive!

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