Wheel Bugs (Coupling)
Arilus cristatus
40.8684, -75.608
Field Notes
Description:
Family: Reduviidae (Assassin bugs) Sub-family: Harpactorinae. Up to 2 inches, but average is 1.5 inches. (5.08 cm). Black/dark gray with wheel-shaped cog (pronotal armor). Adult food: soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars, beetles and even hard-shelled stink bugs. Beneficial bugs. Female is may be cannilbalistic after mating.
Habitat:
Meadows, fields, roadsides. Plentiful in this area.
Notes:
Do not handle. Although they move slowly and are usually non-aggressive. Their long proboscis is very long and painful. May take up to 6 months to heal due to saliva. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5QsayczoUc. This 2nd video I came upon the male and female fighting.
Reference Links:
Wheel bug
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedMarch 25, 2013
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