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Hey Bugman,
My family and I were camping in Huntsville State Park, north of Houston, Texas, when we discovered many different "cool" bugs. The kids just loved them, and a couple made good photo candidates. I’m more of the mindset of, "Wow, what a neat bug. Let’s take a picture and move it away from our camp," rather than, "Wow, what IS that?" But if you do know what these two are I wouldn’t mind having the knowledge for future reference. Thank you! I’ve had a blast reading your site!
Kristen Rush
Brad, Kristen, Grace, Caroline & Beetle Rush
(& Max, Katy, Polly, Romeo, Franklin & the parakeets)

Pink Striped Oakworm	Wheel Bug

Dear Rush Family,
You have some nice photos. The caterpillar is a PInk Striped Oakworm, Anisota virginiensis. It is one of the giant silkworms in the family Saturnidae. The other insect is a Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus, one of the Assasin bugs. They are beneficial insects that eat plant eating insects, helping to keep populations in check. They can give a painful bite but it isn’t serious.

Related Posts

1. Pink Striped Oakworm Moths Mating (July 10, 2008)
2. Wheel Bug (July 24, 2005)
3. Wheel Bug (June 25, 2004)
4. Pink Striped Oakworm (September 24, 2005)
5. Pink Striped Oakworm (June 3, 2006)