#harpactorini

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

North American wheel bug?

Have you seen the North American wheel bug (Arilus cristatus)?

I have now

Yes, in photos/videos

Yes, irl

I'm not sure

Voting ended onApr 10

The first photo is of an adult, the second is of a freshly hatched nymph. Either way, what a charming face!!

[ljsbugblog]

a Red Tiger Assassin Bug, common in the region but my first time seeing one.

this individual was slowly exploring one of our Jacaranda trees, searching for a meal. this last photo offers an excellent view of their sucking mouthparts, found in all true bugs but specialised in assassins for subdueing and consuming small insects as prey.

Red Tiger Assassin Bug (Havinthus rufovarius).

[rattyexplores]

More Assassin Bugs

There’s a few of them around.

Unidentified, Tribe Harpactorini

01/06/22

[dendroica]

Wheel Bug in Missouri (via USFWSmidwest)

Look but don’t touch! Wheel bugs (Arilus cristatus) are cool to see, but can inflict a painful bite if handled. Look for the prominent spiny ridge or "wheel" on the thorax to identify this species of assassin bug.

Photo by Anna Weyers/USFWS.

[ljsbugblog]

I've received so much encouragement from my first post, I like to believe it's because that Aproida balyi looked so polite in her photos. in continuing the theme, I offer you some assassin bug faces:

Gnimatus wallengreni above, Pristhesancus plagipennis below! From the same tribe, Harpactorini.

i just think they look very friendly, nice boys with long snoots 👍

[dendroica]

Pselliopus cinctus pair mating on Blue-stemmed Goldenrod (by me)