Wheel Bug (Nymph)

The Wheel Bug Nymph has 6 long black legs and 2 long black antenna, that are used to imitate the extra set of legs an arachnid would have, as a passive defense mechanism. The Nymphs also have bright orange/red thoraxes as an added defense mechanism, to ward off potential predators. They can have a very painful bite, though not dangerous, and should not be handled. They hatch from eggs laid on trees in a cluster and usually stay close to the nest for several weeks. They change color as they grow, from bright orange to grey/brown of the adults.