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Arilus cristatus, also known as the North American wheel bug or simply wheel bug, is a species of large assassin bug in the family Reduviidae and the only species of wheel bug found in the United States.
Oct 7, 2022 · Wheel bugs are a type of assassin bug (family Reduviidae), so they are predators. They have raptorial front legs (like praying mantids) that they will use to grab prey. Once they have captured their prey, they insert their mouthparts into their prey and inject their saliva, which contains chemicals that paralyze the prey and begin digesting it.
The wheel bug, Arilus cristatus (Linnaeus), is a moderately common, widely distributed, beneficial assassin bug that preys on pest insects. However, its bite can be more severe than a bee sting, and both nymphs and adults should be avoided or handled with caution.
The wheel bug occurs throughout the southern half of the United States, ranging northward to the upper Midwest and southern New England. While Southwest Pennsylvania is within its natural distributional range, it appears to have become more common in our area over the last decade.
The Wheel Bug is a species of Assassin Bug found in North America with a painful bite. Scientifically known as Arilus cristatus, they have a semicircle spiny ridge behind their head which resembles a cogwheel or gear protruding up from their back.
Aug 26, 2023 · Wheel bugs ( Arilus cristatus) are venomous, not poisonous. They possess a painful bite due to their venomous saliva. They are a type of assassin bug and use their venom to subdue their prey. The primary features of their bite include: A sharp, needle-like mouthpart called a rostrum.
Wheel bugs are easily identified by the coglike “wheel” on their backs. Like most true bugs, this species has membranous wings that fold flat along the back when at rest (creating an X pattern on the back), and mouthparts joined into a strawlike structure used for piercing and sucking.
Jun 5, 2019 · The Wheel bug truly lives up to both of its names. Its primary name comes from the saw like wheel structure on the adult’s thorax. As a member of the Assassin bug family, it has piercing and sucking mouthparts and clear membranous wings. Wheel bugs are active and aggressive hunters.
Oct 13, 2023 · The Difference Between Wheel Bug and Kissing Bug. Wheel bugs and kissing bugs are both insects, but they have several differences that you should know, especially if you encounter them in your surroundings. Let’s discuss these differences, so you’ll be better equipped to identify them.
Apr 23, 2023 · An online resource devoted to North American insects, spiders and their kin, offering identification, images, and information.
