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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#701135
Wheel Bug Abdominal Protrusion - Arilus cristatus
Copyright © 2012 Monica Miller

Wheel Bug Abdominal Protrusion - Arilus cristatus
Bethel Park, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA
August 21, 2012
This was the largest Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus) I have ever seen in my life (female?) When disturbed, it extruded an orange glandular organ of some sort. I was reminded of osmeterium in swallowtail caterpillars. Does anyone know anything about this? I've never noticed one do this before. Can't say I noticed any smell, but it was after a rain and a buddleia was competing with scent. Thanks!

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Wheel Bug Abdominal Protrusion - Arilus cristatus Wheel Bug Abdominal Protrusion - Arilus cristatus
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Contributed by Monica Miller on 7 September, 2012 - 7:05pm
Last updated 7 September, 2012 - 8:49pm

They're referred to as
"scent sacs" in Wikipedia and in this article.
… Ken Wolgemuth, 8 September, 2012 - 9:02am login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request. I've seen the extrusion once while handling one of these and I assumed it was a defensive reaction. But I don't know for sure.
… Brad Barnd, 7 September, 2012 - 8:49pm login or register to post comments

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