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Wheel Bug

Arilus cristatus

Photo by PhotoginTN
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

The assassin bug was about 32mm (1.25 in) long. Some people call this crazy looking bug a Sail-back Dinosaur Bug.

Habitat:

I have seen them on garden plants, but this one was on our van's windshield.

Reference Links:

Wheel bug, Sail-back Dinosaur Bug (Wheel Bug) - Arilus cristatus - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
PhotoginTN
Most of their prey are pests such as caterpillars, Japanese beetles, and stinkbugs, therefore wheel bugs are considered as beneficial to the garden as ladybugs are. They do have a painful bite though.
PhotoginTN
They are interesting bugs. The head reminds me of the head on the Star Wars B1 battle droid, only the head is reversed.

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2015 Best Wildlife Photo

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Photographed
PublishedAugust 13, 2015

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