CHARACTERISTICS: Noted for their painful bite when disturbed or nonchalant handling. A member of the Assassin Bug family, this insect attacks its prey (other insects) with vicious stabbing motions using the 'fang' at the front of its head. The Wheel Bug is best identified by the ridged or spiny wheel on the pronotum which gives the insect its name. The Wheel Bug operates primarily from summer into fall and feeds on other insects including the slow-moving caterpillars. Its diet forces the Wheel Bug to reside primarily in leafy areas like forests, parks or shrubbery.
ADULT SIZE (Length, not including legs):
28mm to 36mm
(1.10in to 1.42in) (Compare Size)
IDENTIFYING COLORS:brown; gray; blue
New York; Pennsylvania; New Jersey; Maryland; Delaware; Virginia; West Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; Georgia; Florida; Alabama; Mississippi; Louisiana; Arkansas; Oklahoma; Texas; New Mexico
Courtesy of Rob W.
More Pictures of the Wheel Bug:
Images @InsectIdentification.org • Hover over each image to view submission credit
Kingdom: Animalia
