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Wheel Bug

Arilus cristatus

Photo by ZoeM
Published on Project Noah
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28.8037, -81.6302

Field Notes

Description:

Thanks for the help identifying this bug! It's common name is an Assasin or Wheel Bug. They prey on caterpillars. I think that is why they showed up at our house. We had caterpillars all over last week but not now.

Habitat:

Found where prey is abundant: adults often lurk on composite (daisy-like) flowers attractive to insects, or prowl in trees where caterpillars are plentiful.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
oxyjack
Yes, this is an assassin bug, not a beetle.
KarenL
Welcome to Project Noah Zoe! I'm not certain, but this looks like it might be an Assassin bug (Reduviidae sp.) of some kind. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=assassin+bug&search=Search
Photographed
PublishedApril 17, 2012

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