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Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus
34.7947, -96.9096
Field Notes
Description:
Wheel bugs are common in eastern North America, although many people in the region have never seen them. They are camouflaged and very shy, hiding whenever possible. They have membranous wings, allowing for clumsy, noisy flight which can easily be mistaken for the flight of a large grasshopper. The adult is gray to brownish gray in color and black shortly after molting, but the nymphs (which do not yet have the wheel-shaped structure) have bright red or orange abdomens.
Wheel bugs are highly regarded by organic gardeners because they consume a variety of insects and their presence indicates a healthy, pesticide-free ecosystem.
(information copied directly from Wikipedia.)
Notes:
discovered on wood siding of mother's back porch. She and my stepdad both grow annual organic, pesticide-free gardens, so I was very happy to see this little guy thriving nearby.
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