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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Bugs (Heteroptera) » Cimicomorpha » Assassin Bugs (Reduviidae) » Harpactorinae » Harpactorini » Wheel Bugs (Arilus) » North American Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus)
Photo#68279
Wheel Bug - Arilus cristatus
Copyright © 2006 Nevia Cashwell

Wheel Bug - Arilus cristatus
Colonial Heights, Virginia, USA
July 30, 2006
Size: 1 inch maybe
Can anyone tell me what kind of bug this is?

Images of this individual: tag all
Wheel Bug - Arilus cristatus Dinosaur Bug? - Arilus cristatus
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Contributed by Nevia Cashwell on 2 August, 2006 - 9:48pm
Last updated 9 August, 2006 - 12:07pm

can be frassed
*
… v belov, 15 November, 2008 - 9:49pm login or register to post comments

Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus

It's a predator that impales other bugs with its hypodermic-like mouthparts, injects them with digestive juices and then sucks their insides out. It's great for controlling pests, but its bite is very painful.

Oh, and about dinosaurs and bugs- bugs had already been around a long, long, time before the first dinosaurs appeared.
… Chuck Entz, 2 August, 2006 - 10:04pm login or register to post comments

 
Wheel Bug
Thanks to all that replied. While photographing this little guy, I saw him almost get a butterfly. Didn't know at the time that their bite could be painful but I pretty much assume any bug bite is going to be painful and stay out of harm's reach if I can. Thanks again. Nevia
… Nevia Cashwell, 3 August, 2006 - 11:16am login or register to post comments

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