Thread Legged Bug
(11/11/2005) Mantid / looks like walking stick
Please let me know when you have seen the images and if you find the exact species name. Up close it looked exactly like a preying mantis with a head shaped slightly different. Thank you for your help,
Van Lavoy Jacobs 2
Frederick, MD



Hi again Van,
Thank you for allowing us to post your excellent photos of an amazing insect, a Thread Legged Bug.

Ed. Note: Eric Eaton just provided us with the following information, and Van has provided additional photos.
(11/11/2005) "I would need to know the size of the critter to tell you even what genus it might be in.  If it is 30+ mm, then it has to be Emesaya brevipennis. If it is under that size, then it is probably a species of Empicoris or Barce.  I didn't check to see where the image was shot, as there could be more possibilities in the southern U.S. Eric"

Wheel Bug Nymph
(11/07/2005) black and orange bug
In the summer I saw a few of these bugs in the field, but I have not been able to find them in any of the fuild guides that I have. Can you tell me what it is?? Picture attached. Thanks so much.
Clotilde



Hi Clotilde,
Rarely do field guides show immature insects. This is a Wheel Bug Nymph. Adults have a distinctive coglike structure on the thorax.

second Wheel Bug today!!!
(11/06/2005) Wheel Bug
Daniel,
Here is another shot of a wheel bug for your wonderful website. I had never seen one before today, and was only mildly surprised to find that a picture of one had already been posted (how I knew it is a wheel bug). This was spotted on a rock at Harpers Ferry, WV on November 6. A lot of insects were active due to the 70 degree temperature.
Thank you,
Edwin Tullos
Columbia, MD



Hi Edwin,
Your photo is great. Thanks for the submission.

Wheel Bug
(11/06/2005) Bug in my wife's mums
Thank you for your site.  It has come in handy on multiple occasions.  We live in the hills of North Carolina and find all kinds of strange critters up here.  As for this photo, I'm curious what kind of bug this is.  I haven't seen one before and it was creeping in my wife's mums.  When I came close it rared back and wielded a nasty looking stinger looking appendage near it's head.  The appendage was red and then black at its tip.  When I see red on a critter, I get a bit nervous as it seems like a caution sign to me.  What is this bug and is that really a stinger?  By the way, the dog hair caught in the bug's folded wings is from our Alaskan Malamute.  My wife had brushed the dog earlier near this flower bed and the bug must have picked it up while folding it's wings.  Oops.
Thank you in advance for the information on this critter!
Kevin Hendrickson



Hi Kevin,
You were very wise to heed the warning. Though Wheel Bugs are advantageous in the garden as they have voracious appetites and will feed on many harmful insects, they will also bite the unwary human and the result is reportedly quite painful, though not serious.

Wheel Bug
(10/31/2005) THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
I stepped out onto the front porch this afternoon and spotted something I had never seen before. After doing a search on google.com your site was at the top of the list. Sure enough I found the bug that had made a visit to my home. It was the Wheel bug. Despite my neighbor (who once with my aunt spent a whole evening waiting for the death of the male praying mantis after it mated) wanting me to kill the bug I opted not to. He is now perched on the awning of my front porch in a groove. Guess he is looking for some treats since tonight is trick-or-treat. I have a ton of photos of my new found friend. I just don't think I will try to shake hands with him anytime soon.
Paul J.
Franklin, Ohio



Hi Paul,
We are always happy to hear when people locate us on the web and identify their own mystery critters.

Thread Legged Bug
(10/27/2005) Mantid / looks like walking stick
Any Idea what this insect is? It looks almost like a Grass-Like Mantid but its head isn’t shaped right. I have more photos from some other angles if you need them.
Van Lavoy Jacobs 2
Frederick, MD



Hi Van,
First we appologize for the long delay. Our internet access went down the day you sent this in. It was down for over a week and when our signal returned, our mailbox was to capacity with 477 letters. We have been posting recent letters and getting to the oldest last. We are THRILLED with your image, a new species for us. This is a Thread Legged Bug, one of the Assassin Bugs in the subfamily Emesinae. According to BugGuide, images on the web are rare, so we are honored to post yours. We would also like to see your other images and perhaps add them to BugGuide's archive if you don't mind. We might even be able to get you a species name.

(11/11/2005)
I would be glad to send any of the other images I have as well as a video you can download of him walking on my arm. We live in Keymar MD which may help you in the identification. Let me know if you would like a link to more pictures and video.
Van

Ed. Note: Eric Eaton just provided us with the following information, and Van has provided additional photos.
(11/11/2005) "I would need to know the size of the critter to tell you even what genus it might be in.  If it is 30+ mm, then it has to be Emesaya brevipennis. If it is under that size, then it is probably a species of Empicoris or Barce.  I didn't check to see where the image was shot, as there could be more possibilities in the southern U.S. Eric"

Plague of less than Biblical Proportions: Assassin Bug Nymph
(10/26/2005) Help us
We are being plagued by this bug.  This is the third one I've seen and I'd like to know what it is. Thanks in advance,
Brandon



Hi Brandon,
We are used to exageration. Many times people imagine that insects are much bigger than they really are. We are definitely amused that three of anything is considered a plague. This is an immature Assassin Bug, a beneficial insect in the garden.

Wheel Bug
(10/18/2005) Wheelbug
This is an awesome site! My kids and I are fascinated with taking photos of cool bugs we find and we often use your site to help identify.  We have this guy right now...Thanks for helping to identify it!
Jennifer, Madison and Harrison (in Pennsylvania)



Hi Jennifer, Madison and Harrison,
We are thrilled that you like the site and that you actually used it for research. Your photo is spectacular.

Milkweed Assassin Bug with Honey Bee prey
(10/16/2005) Assasin Bug and Bee
As everybody mentions, I too think this is an awesome site.  We see plenty of 'bugs' in the yard and garden and the site really helps.  Saw this poor bee poking around the center of the rose, only to come out from under a petal and pow, looks like the assassin but gets a big lunch.  Of a couple of your pictures, I didn't see an Assassin just like this. BTW, I'm in Houston, TX.  The photo is reduced in size, but I can send the original if you want a closer look.  Thanks,
W. Boyers



Hi W.,
Nice image of a Milkweed Assassin Bug, Zelus longipes. It is found in the warm Southern states and has also been reported from North Carolina and Texas.

Wheel Bug eats Stink Bug!!!
(10/11/2005) thanks
Wow!  You have turned me on to a whole new hobby...taking pictures of bugs and in particular cog-wheel assassins.  I used to be afraid of them.  They were so big, ugly, and scary looking.  Your website confirmed my concern as I learned their bite hurt 10 times worse than a hornet.  But there is another bug that I absolutely HATE...The Stinkbug.  They rattle loudly while flying inside my home, they have no regard for my right-of-way, they cover the screens and block the sun from coming in the windows, and they smell awful when I squash them.  Yes, I squash them.  Today, my war against the dreaded stinkbug has gained an ally.  See attached photos.
Nancy



Hi Nancy,
We realize it isn't possible to love all insects especially ones that enter the home. I have a personal dislike for the Argentine Sugar Ants that invade my home every autumn. Great photo of a Wheel Bug feasting on a Stink Bug.

(10/10/2005) what's this bug?
First of all, We love your great web site! It is always one of the first listed when I google search for bugs with my daycare kids. You have gave us lots of great information in the past about spiders, beetles and most recently the praying mantis. We had one living on a scarlet runner bean plant right outside our back door and directly under the porch light (lots of dinner) for 5 weeks before it disappeared. This is the first time I'm emailed you with a question. I found this interesting alien-like fellow in the bottom of my pantry when I cleaned it this afternoon. I had discovered an old zip bag of walnuts that had small weevils in it (just the little tiny dark ones that often pop out in old bags of flour). I pulled everything out (nothing else appeared infested thank goodness) and this guy was jitterly trying to hide under everything I pulled out of the pantry. He is very frightened acting and seems very harmless, doesn't seem to be able to fly or jump. He appears to be covered in flour or some other white hairy looking substance, but I didn't have any flour spilled in the cupboard at all. I assume he is some type of panty weevil, but what??? I've never seen anything like it and have no idea what to do with it. I think the kids will all be very interested after they get up from their naps and get home from school to see it. If you could give me more information I would be thrilled!
Thanks so much!
Amy Cheeseman



Hi Amy,
We love hearing that people use the site for research instead of just sending in a photo. Most everything we get asked about has already been posted. This is a Masked Hunter, Reduvius personatus, one of the Assassin Bugs. It was probably feasting on the grain weevils before being displaced from its home. They also hunt Bedbugs.

Wheel Bug
(10/03/2005)
I found this bug in my driveway in late June and then saw another just last week.  It is slow moving, seems to have a set of wings and has a stegosaurus-like hump on its back.  Since I have a lot of stink bugs around I thought it might be related to them???
Nancy



Hi Nancy,
Your bug is a Wheel Bug. Wheel Bugs and Stink Bugs are both Hemipterans, True Bugs, but they are in different families. The Wheel Bug is an Assassin Bug and a predator in your garden, often killing harmful garden pests.

Wheel Bug
(09/30/2005) Wheel bug found
Hi bugman,
Just wanted to let you know that I found this cool little bug in the flowers around my pond. Didn't know what it was but came on your site and found it within a matter of minutes. Great site. I found this in Northeast PA.
E K
Catasauqua, PA



Hi E K,
It always makes us so happy when people use the site as a research tool instead of just firing off a letter with an out of focus photo before even looking at any of the possibilities we have to offer. your image is great and we are happy to have it.

Mating Wheel Bugs
(09/25/2005) wheel bug love
My wife and I had been touring our local nature center when we encountered these two in the parking lot on our way out. It turned out to be the best, most interesting picture of the day! We made them our "wallpaper" and started looking for a way to ID them. We found, whatsthatbug.com and ID'd them in a just a few minutes. Great site!
John K
Lookout Mountain, GA



Hi John,
We want you to know this is our favorite photo all week. Thanks for the contribution.

Masked Bedbug Hunter
(09/23/2005) Bug
Hi I thought I would send you a few more pictures ,one some sort of beetle and may be an assassin bug that camouflaged itself with fine sand .These were taken in Dundas Ontario Canada



Hi Peter,
Your Assassin Bug is a Masked Bedbug Hunter, and we never tire of posting images of this fascinating insect.

Bark Assassin
(09/17/2005)
I am doing an insect collection for my science class, and I have not been able to identify this insect. I think it is an assassin bug of some kind. I have searched all over the internet and have not been able to find anything that looks like it. It is about 27 millimeters long. I collected it in Hall County, Ga. Do you have any idea of what it might be?
Thanks!
Erin



Hi Erin,
We located your insect on line at the Angelfire site. It is a Bark Assassin, Hammatocerus purcis. The site states: "This may be the neatest of the Reduviids from the US. These Bark assassins are brightly colored and average an inch long (23-25mm). Adult may live up to a few years. They hide under bark by day and feed on many insects including crickets, cockroaches, and beetles by night. The bite, as with most Reduviids is very painful." We feel that the scarcity of information on this insect online alludes to its rarity, and collecting it should guarantee you an A.

Ed. Note: (09/20/2005) We just got the following scientific name correction from Eric Eaton: "Bark assassin is Microtomus purcis.  The genus name you used is simply outdated. "

Masked Hunter
(08/30/2005) "Sandy" little bug
I found this little guy in our office today next to my boots.   I thought it was a piece of dirt and was about to brush it away when it moved!  I live near Marquette, Michigan (Upper Peninsula) and have have never seen one like it up here before.  An internet search turned up nothing so I thought maybe you could enlighten me as to its name/origin/why I never saw one before. It appears to be covered in dust/fine sand and if it was actually sitting in sand, I doubt anybody would give him a second glance.   An odd characteristic (other than appearing to need a bath), is that his abdomen is flat, not rounded. Thanks for any information you can provide.
Regards,
Creig



Hi Creig,
The Masked Hunter, Reduvius personatus, is a species of Assassin Bug that hunts Bedbugs. The immature insect is covered with a viscid substance which causes particles of dust and fibers to adhere to it, masking the entire insect.>

Flattened Wheel Bug
(08/10/2005) big strange bug
First I am very sorry but I do not like bugs.  I am honestly afraid of them.  They give me the chills.  I found this crazy bug on the top of my chair.  It looks like a saw on its back and honestly a little prehistoric. It resembles some sort of stink bug. It is rather large.  Atleast on my bug standards. lol  Thought you may know what it is.
Thanks,
Michelle



Hi Michelle,
Your poor flattened Wheel Bug was a beneficial predator in your garden before meeting with an untimely demise. In your defense, they will bite painfully if provoked.

Wheel Bug
(07/24/2005) What's this one?I have searched your site and have not found anything quite like this one.  Can you help me identify it?  I live in Charlotte, NC . 
Thanks!
CAT



Hi CAT,
We suspect you only searched our homepage. If you go to the Assasin Bug page, you will find many pictures of Wheel Bugs, but nothing as glorious as yours. The Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus, is valuable in the garden for the many pests it devours. Watch out though, it will give a painful bite if not respected.

Immature Assassin Bug
(07/15/2005) Beetle?
I normally can figure out what kind of bug I have, but this one has me stumped. I still have it in the freezer. I am in the middle of getting a new camera with a better close up lens also I am an insect collector with over 250 different species represented as of last count in October. I found this one in Alexandria Virginia on something similar to a Hosta leaf. Although I didn’t look closely at the plant, I suspect that the insect was more or less passing through and the plant it was on has nothing to do with the insect. Please note that this picture is a posed shot with a dead insect. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Craig McBurney



Hi Craig,
Not a beetle at all. Beetles have chewing mandibles and complete metamorphosis. This is an immature Assassin Bug. They are predators with sucking mouthparts. Sorry, cant tell the species.

Adult Masked Bedbug Hunter
(07/13/2005) masked hunter?
found this alive and dust free in Massachusetts, USA. Is this a masked hunter?
Glen



Hi Glen,
Your photo came in the day after we posted another awesome photograph of an immature Masked Hunter, Reduvius personatus. Your beautiful glossy black adult appears dead, which is sad if that death was untimely. The Masked Hunter only becomes covered with dust in its immature instars. Both nymphs and adults are foes to that scurge of mankind, the Bedbug. They also feed on flies and other insects. You will find them indoors because they prey upon Bedbugs. EVen though they are helpful, they can bite people if provoked, unlike the unprovoked attacks of their nasty Bedbug relatives.

Norwegian Masked Bedbug Hunter
(07/12/2005) Reduvius personatus?
Hi! I live in Norway, and me and my daughter found this on her bedroomwall. Is this a reduvius personatus? And will we find some more in her bedroom....I't had a funny movement...
Thanks,
Maria Isabell



Hi Maria,
What a gorgeous photograph of an immature Masked Bedbug Hunter, Reduvius personatus. The immature insect is covered with a viscid substance which causes particles of dust and fibers to adhere to it, masking the entire insect.

Assassin Bug
(07/08/2005) Specimen I am trying to identify
Dear SIr,
Could you help me identify this specimen.
Thank you,
Peter Leahy



Hi Peter,
This is some species of Assassin Bug, Family Reduviidae, probably the genus Zelus.

Wheelbug Nymph
(07/04/2005_ Bug ID Please!
Any ideas?  Found in Atlanta, GA, it is about the size (leg-span) of a nickel. It has six legs, two antenae, one fang, and a stinger-like tail that is red-orange around the edges, with little black dots in the red-orange, and the center being beige-like with a large black dot in the center of that. The fang and the antenae are both alternating red-orange and black sections. The body looks a little furry. Sorry the picture is through a "clear" tupperware container...
Thanks



Your immature Wheelbug, one of the Assasin Bugs, will be winged after its final molt. There is no stinger, but that fanglike mouth can deliver a nasty bite.

Immature Assassin Bug
(06/30/2005) Tyler's bug
Dear what's that bug (Bugman),
My 5 year old son, Tyler, is a bug nut and catches everything he sees( catch and release of course) and knows more about bugs than most kids his age. But this one stumped him and me. If you know what it is I would appreciate it . He would think it's cool. Thanks a bunch
Javier & Tyler



Hi Javier and Tyler,
We don't want you to think we are uncool. Your bug looks like an Immature Assassin Bug. Watch out for that mouth as it is designed for piercing and sucking. Assassins prey on harmful insects, but will give an unwary gardener or a careless bug collector a painful bite.

Newly Hatched Wheel Bugs
(06/24/2005) what are these?
We found these making a hive on the side of our Georgia home. Are they some kind of Ants?
Sam



Hi Sam,
Your Wheel Bugs are not making a hive, they are hatching. These are a type of Assassin Bug. They are predators and very good in the garden. When they mature, they will have wings and a cog-like projection on their backs which gives them their common name. Be careful though, they can give a painful bite.

Wheel Bug Nymph
(06/24/2005) Assassin bug?
Hi, I live in Gaithersburg, Maryland and I've been seeing these bugs on my deck over the last month or so.   I'm curious to find out about the because I keep finding them on my children.  I want to know if they bite and what kind of bite they will get (swelling like a mosquito bite?).  I saw a picture on this site that was similar.  It was identified as a Wheel Bug Nymph, but all the pictures that I see elsewhere on the internet of the wheel bug, look very different.  Could these be VERY immature wheel bugs?  Whatever info you could give would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Kelly



Hi Kelly,
This is most assuredly an immature Assassin Bug, most probably a Wheel Bug. The wingless nymphs have a distinctive red abdomen, and it is not until they mature into winged adults that the characteristic cog-like wheel attains its magnificence. The scientific name for the Wheel Bug is Arilus cristatus. All we know about the bite is that it is reputed to be painful, but not dangerous.

Assassin Bug Nymph
(06/21/2005) What is this thing?
FOund this after taking the photo of the flowers. A granddaddy long legs was a few inches from it. Have never seen one before. Whis the picture was better, but didn't know it was there. I SAw it one other time on the fence and it was gone after I got the camera. Any info would be heplful. Thanks
Craig



Hi Craig,
You have sent in a photograph of an Assassin Bug nymph, probably an immature Wheel Bug, though it is difficult to be certain due to the angle. They are beneficial predators in the garden, but can bite painfully.

Immature Assassin Bug
(06/21/2005) what the heck is this thing?
I live in Raleigh, North Carolina, right next to the woods, and I found this weird-looking insect that I don't know what it is.  I know it's not a spider since it only has 6 legs, but what the heck is it?



Nice photo of an Immature Assassin Bug.

Wheel Bug Nymphs
(06/20/2005) cannibal ant? spider? wasp?
Hi there. 
Could you help me identify this bug that is living on our deck (in Columbia, Maryland) near my toddlers' slide?  They have shiny black heads and thoraxes with seemly smooth bright red abdomens.  Six long delecate-looking legs and a pair of thinner antenna.  Their dead comrades are all missing their abdomens.  Whether coincidence or not they are congregated around bits of spiderweb-looking threads and there is a sac nearby their "hangout" as well.  They may bite as I was bitten by an insect I am sure was an exact copy at a playground a few miles away.  I checked around the web as well as your website and couldn't find anything convincing. I appreciate your help!
Karyn Hessler



Hi Karyn,
Your have a wonderful photo of Wheel Bug Nymphs, Arilus cristatus, a type of Assassin Bug. They have a painful bite, as you know. They are beneficial insects as they prey upon garden pests. Just don't touch.

Immature Assassin Bug
(06/07/2005) Red/yellow unspider
I have no clue what this bug is. It has 8 legs, but two of them it seems to use as antennae, so I don't think it's a spider....do you know what it is?
Korey



Hi Korey,
You have a species of immature Assassin Bug. You are very lucky you did not get bitten. Even the nymphs can deliver a painful bite. In addition to its sucking mouthparts, it has six legs like all insects, and two antennae.

Newly Hatched Assassin Bugs
(05/15/2005) I have an odd insect-
This is probably something common, I've just never seen before. I think it's a wingless wasp that has built a small- 4 cm diameter may .5 cm, at the most, height hive on my mimosa tree. (Since it's built a hive, I am thinking it's a wasp of some sort and not an ant. Are there ants that build hives? ) It has a bright red abdomen and yellow tipped antennae. It is social, there are about 40 of them working together on this. It appears the queen is on top of the hive but she doesn't have the coloring that the others do. It is the size of an ant, and it's legs are long-antennae are elbowed - it looks like a spider at first glance. Ever heard of anything of the sort?
Thanks,
Lisa McCaskill

Hi Lisa,
This sounds very interesting. I can't think of what it could be. I wish you could send a photo. Thanks,
Daniel



(06/04/2005)
Thanks for answering.   I found out that it's hatching assassin bugs-- here is a photo, the "hive" is actually eggs, and they only appear social because they're hatching, 
Lisa

Immature Assassin Bug
(05/12/2005) Help
Hi,
I was hoping that you could tell me what kind of bug is in this photo.  This bug bite my 10 month
daughter under her chin and we have no idea what kind of insect it is.
Thanks,
Keith



Hi Keith,
This appears to be an immature Assassin Bug.  The bite is painful, but not serious.

Masked Hunter named Pepi
(03/11/2005) dusty odd looking bug
Hey, Pepi here is really dusty and odd looking, i figuire its some kind of bug that hibernates because a few days ago he came out when it was warm, and he was covered in massive dust, poor thing, looked so thin. I don't know if it is native to michigan or not, I live in Muskegon Michigan there are always bugs here near the lake so let me know. I think it looks really odd but cute, and i named him pepi



Just don't try to cuddle with Pepi. You have a Masked Hunter, Reduvius personatus, a species of Assassin Bug. Pepi will bite painfully when provoked. Masked Hunters get covered with dust, and become "masked." They are beneficial, since they eat Bedbugs.

Zelus species Assassin Bug
(01/13/2005) Stinger
Awesome site…glad I found it.  Here is a but that I found on the couch when he woke me up from a mid day nap.  He stung me on the knee and it is itching 2 days later an a little red….  I am tough and can take it, but the problem is one of my Girls got stung this AM by the same type of bug.  Can you help identify it and let me know if we should be concerned.   Thanks again,
Mike S.
Hawley TX



Hi Mike,
We wanted more than just a general Assassin Bug identification so we wrote to Eric Eaton who responded: "It is an assassin bug in the genus Zelus.  They are great to have in the garden as they prey on lots of pest insects.  Just don't pick them up!" The bite is painful and causes irritation, as you know, but there is no lasting harm.

Wheel Bug
(11/16/2004) I saw this bug
Hi there, I am originally from Argentina but I live in Texas now. Today I found this bug that in Argentina we call "vinchuca" and transmit a disease called "chagas" is a very bad disease. Someone told me that is a inoffensive beetle but it looks like the vinchuca (or kissing bug). The picture is not very good because I was scared. Can you tell me what it is?
Thank you
Adriana



Hi Adriana,
We also have a Kissing Bug that transmits Chagas Disease, but your photo looks like a Wheel Bug, one of the Assassin Bugs. It is difficult to be certain based on your photo, but the distinguishing feature is the coglike "wheel" on the thorax. Wheel Bugs are related to Kissing Bugs, and both are true bugs, or Hemipterans. Wheel Bugs are not known to be disease vectors, but they can bite painfully if mishandled. They are beneficial since they destroy many garden pests.

Wheel Bug
(10/05/2004) Loud Flyer
Hello Bugman!
I was in Eastern PA this weekend on top of a mountain in Kempton, PA. While admiring the sites, this loud buzzing went very slowly past my ear. When I looked, there was this bug about an inch or so flying by. Its abdomen hung while it flew but managed to land on the side of a tree near me. I was able to get this photo before it continued on its way. Note that the ridge on its back does run from head to tail and not side to side.. Any help in identifying is appreciated!
Jim



Hi Jim,
Great photo of a Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus, a member of the Assasin Bug Family Reduviidae. These large true bugs can be recognized by the cog like wheel on their backs. They are friends of gardeners since they eagerly feed on many garden pests, like the caterpillar you put in the jar. Those sucking mouthparts can deliver a painful bite if the bug is carelessly handled.

Daniel
Incredible website...  Now knowing it was an assassin bug, I looked through the assassin bug section of your site to get more information. What a remarkable species! Thank you so much for the work you do!
Jim

Second Wheel Bug Today
(10/05/2004) What is this bug?
I am glad I found your site and think this bug looks similar to the Western Conifer Seed Bug.   Because of the shadow, you can see the ridged shoulder.   Can you help us?
Thanks,
The Choe Family



Dear Choe Family,
Yours is the second fabulous Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus, photo we received today. The Wheel Bug is a type of Assassin Bug. It is predatory on insects, but is capable of giving a person a painful bite if mishandled.

Masked Hunter
(09/09/2004) please help me
i've found this bug lurking in my bedroom today. i've managed to put it into a glass. the only problem is, i can't tell what it is. it is only about 2mm long. it has 6 legs, 2 large hind legs, 2 small middle legs and 2 small front legs. it also has a kind of hairyness to it as well. the reason i ask is just incase it is some type of bug that infests places, which, naturally, i wouldn't want. i've attached a few photo's for you.
yours sincerely
phil



Hi Phil,
You have a Masked Hunter, Reduvius personatus, s type of Assassin Bug. They are predatory and quickly dispatch household pests including Bedbugs. They will bite if provoked. The common name Masked Hunter comes from the habit of accumulating lint on the body, hence causing the insect to be masked. Your specimen is an immature nymph.

Assassin Bug Nymph
(09/06/2004) Nasty Little Bug!
Dear What's that Bug,
I don't know what this little rascal is, but this afternoon I picked up my dog to bring her inside and all of a sudden I felt this incredible pain on my little finger.  The pain was worse than a wasp sting or any fire ant bite I have ever had.  Maybe I am just a wus, but damn it hurt.  I have tried to find the bug all over the web but was not able to locate it.  I have never seen one before.  The pictures are not to good since I took the pain out on him/her.  It has six legs with two tentacles.  It has an almost transparent orange body.  I think the stinger is in its tail, because when I flicked it off of the dog and on to the floor it poised itself like a scorpion.  By the way I am from NW Florida area.  If you could give me some insight as to what he heck this little booger is.
Thank you,
Jason



Hi Jason,
You were bitten by an Assassin Bug nymph, and though the bite is nasty, they are beneficial to gardeners because of the vast numbers of pests they kill.

Blurry Wheel Bug
(09/01/2004)
and the 2nd pic...what is this creapy looking guy ? an assasin bug ?



Your blurry photo is of a Wheel Bug, a type of Assassin Bug.

(09/11/2004) better pics of my blurry bug



Thanks so much Patrick. Now our readers will be able to identify their own Wheel Bugs. Your photo shows off the cog-like crest nicely.

Masked Hunter and Solpugid
(08/12/2004) Hello folks.
First, let me thank you for your excellent site.  I had found a strange little critter in my home office and wondered what it might be.  I found it on your site after many others had let me down.  It turns out to be a Masked Hunter".  Quite the strange little critter. I thought you might get a kick out of seeing some of the photos I've taken of both that "masked hunter" and a solfugid which was out on a parking lot near my office.
Here's the link.
Mostly these photos have been another excuse to play with my digital camera, and the originals of many are in higher resolution than that shown on the site.  If you have any use for some of these photos, just let me know.
Thanks again for your informative site.
Jim Harrison



Hi Jim,
Thanks for the photos as well as the advertisement on your site.  The story on your site about finding the Masked Hunter on the roll of toilet paper is quite amusing. Sadly, we are currently down, yet again, due to heavy traffic.  We will post your photos and letter as soon as September arrives.

Assassin Nymph
(08/09/2004)
Found these guys, 4 of them, crawling around on top of my trash can.   Haven’t seen ‘em before.   6 legs, orange, spotted on the back, no pincers, long thin “tail” or stinger. Very aggressive.
Ideas?
Thanks
Ben in Austin



Hi Ben,
We got a second opinion from Eric before writing back to you. He agrees that it is probably an Assassin Nymph. He writes: "Sure.  Reminds me of a Zelus sp. of assassin, but photo is not detailed enough to rule out coreids, which would be my other guess:-)"

Corsair Bug?
(08/10/2004) wasp?
Dear Bugman,
My wife and I found this bug on our cat.  It appeared to be either biting or stinging the cat.  It was making the cat skittish, which is why we think it was biting or stinging the cat.  It seems to be some kind of wasp, though none I have ever seen before.  We live in Hawaii, so it isn't uncommon for us to see bugs we haven't seen before.  I have included two pictures, which I scaled down to make them more email friendly.  They are somewhat limited due to the macro capabilities of our digital camera (and the fact the bag it is in is wet because I almost flushed the bug) but I hope they are sufficient for ID.  The cat seems to be recovering so we aren't too worried, but I would like to know if it was stinging him.  The unique feature on this bug seems to be the two yellowish dots on its back.  It has 6 legs, two antennae that extend, then bend back toward the body.  The legs farthest back are significantly longer than the other 4.  It has two wings, since I haven't seen it fly I don't know if they are one pair (like a bee) or two (like a dragonfly), but the wings extend just beyond the abdomen.  I can't see a stinger, but I have only a small magnifying glass, if it has a stinger it isn't readily visible to the naked or slightly assisted eye (unless it left it in the cat).  Any ideas on what this bug is would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your time and ability.
Sincerely,
Andrew & Mara Neboshynsky



Dear Andrew and Mara,
Definitely not a Wasp, but a True Bug: one of the Assassin Bugs, possibly a Corsair Bug from the genus Rasahus. These will bite if provoked and mishandled.

Metamorphosis of a Wheel Bug
(08/07/2004) PA Bug
Bugman,
What was this ?  the orange one appeared to be eating the other one.   Assassin bugs?  Which is female and male? 
Seen Bloomsburg,PA on 8/1/04.  
thanks
Rich



Hi Rich,
Your photo is too out of focus to be certain, but it appears that it depicts an adult Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus, on the right, newly emerged from the discarded skin or exoskeleton of the nymph stage on the left. The Wheel Bug will turn gray as its new exoskeleton hardens.

Adult Masked Hunter
(08/07/2004) Hello bugman,
I have found this critter on three occasions and I cannot identify it from my search on the net.  The first was found in the bathroom and he was promptly disposed of mainly because he landed on my leg.  The second was found again in the bathroom, but this one was on the floor and very slow moving.  He was held for interrogation but I couldn't get anything out of him.  The third (pictured) was found about a week later in the basement, but he was already dead.  None have been found since (approx 2 weeks).  My pictures are not great, but from a rough description he has wings, short antennae, a snout, and 3/4" long.  From my search I thought maybe he was a wood boring beetle, which concerns me as I have a fairly old house that I only moved into a few months back.  However if he's not a wood borer then I'm also concerned as I'd like to know if they've come from outside or in...  Located in Southern Ontario, Canada.



Dear Canada,
We just heard from Eric Eaton who corrected us on this one. It "is actually an adult masked hunter, Reduvius personatus, which hunts bedbugs, not humans, thank God:-)" Bugs from this group are also known as masked hunters because they are sticky and often accumulate dust, as your specimen demonstrates.

(08/04/2004) Computer Bug
Hi there !  Today a bit of a dust-ball rolled out from a crevice in a computer I am working on... and it turns out it's alive!  Location is North Central Nebraska, quite arrid of late though not the drought we had last year thank God!
I spent WAY TOO MUCH TIME looking hither and yon only to finally find your site which at the very least will Try to tell you what something is instead of just ask you silly questions until they mechanically pronounce it a 'bug'.  I am investing great faith in you, I took these on a wide ruled dayplanner and in some cases there is a standard sized pen in the background for size, against a ruler it measures approx .3 cm and has six legs.  It really does look like dust moving around on the paper, excepting it's long back legs and ultra-fine antennea - which seem to have a thicker base and then whip out, not segmented.  The middle and forelegs are quite short and the thorax (if that's what it is) is very small, or the thorax is just an extension of what appears to be a very small abdomen.  Coloration seems to be mostly even with no markings underneath that I've been able to discern (it does NOT like upsidedown :) It ambulates on all six legs somewhat like a grasshopper walking, yet it has not demonstrated a jump nor even any burst of speed, heck at one point I gently pushed it backward with a pencap and it just stood it's ground heh heh.  So... any ideas?  I'd LOVE to know what it is... so far all I've ruled out is Arachanid ... but since it may very well be larval I cannot dismiss winged critter of indeterminate type LOL.
Looking forward to your response,
Blessings
Michael



Hi Michael,
I absolutely love your letter. We pride ourselves on our attempts, sometimes feeble, at accuracy, but more on our user friendly format. You have a Masked Hunter, Reduvius personatus, a type of Assassin Bug from the family Reduviidae. These are True Bugs and they they are predatory. They are often found indoors where they prey on Bedbugs, but they are fully capable of delivering a painful bite to people who carelessly handle them. They get their common name because they have the habit of accumulating lint on their heads and bodies, and hence become masked.

Bee Assassin
(07/02/2004)
Here is a photo of a bug that I spotted eating a honeybee a few days ago. I have not yet found any identification for it but I suspect it may be some sort of assassin bug. This was spotted in the yard here is north central Arizona . Please help me identify it.
Thank you,
Chris, Kim and Matthew Starkey



Dear Starkeys,
We knew you had a Bee Assassin from the genus Apiomerus, but we weren't sure of the exact species. Then we found this great Assassin Bug page which narrowed the possibilities to Apiomerus spissipes which ranges from Mexico into texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona, or Apiomerus flaviventris which ranges from Mexico north to the same states and includes California. As their common name implies, they are fond of eating Honey Bees. They commonly wait in flowers for bees and other prey.

Assassin Bugs
(06/29/2004) Hi bugman,
My fiancé and I moved into our new home in December. We’re in a very rural, wooded Central Pennsylvania . All of a sudden, within the past five days…these spiders have emerged and they are EVERYWHERE. They seem to be aggressive, but I haven’t gotten too close. They are all over my plants, flowers, deck , and outbuildings. Do you know what they are?
Thanks!!!
Jennifer



Well Jennifer,
They aren't spiders, but Assassin Bugs. They are immature and will grow wings. They are beneficial in the garden since they ravenously eat many garden pests, however, if mishandled, they will give you a painful bite. Treat them with respect and they will not bother you and your garden will be pest free.

(06/26/2004) Orange Assassin Bug
I was hoping that you could help me Identify a new bug that we’ve recently found in our yard.   I’ve never seen this bug before and this summer it is all over our yard.   I live in South Texas . It’s not very long, about 1⁄2 an inch or so, and looks like it has under developed wings on it’s back.   Thanks for your help.
Tonia



Hi Tonia,
You have sent in a beautiful photo of an Assassin Bug nymph, Family Reduviidae. I cannot give you an exact species. These bugs are friends of the gardener. They have ravenous appetites and will help control harmful insect pests in your yard naturally. There is a minor downside. Treat them with respect. They can inflict a painful bite with that sucking mouth of theirs. There is an irritant that is released when the bug bites, probably associated with digestion, but the effect is mild. Once again, the bite is painful.

Wheel Bug
(06/25/2004)
I found this bug on an egg plant leaf outside late last night it is approx 1 1/2 in long and 1/2 in thick we put it into a clear container with a small worm/caterpillar and this morning we watched it suck it dry. it looks like a giant stink bug with a snout like a butterfly for sucking and horned back.



(ed. note: The only way we were able to access these images was to rephotograph them from our computer screen, so the quality is poor.
You have a Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus, a member of the Assasin Bug Family Reduviidae. These large true bugs can be recognized by the cog like wheel on their backs. They are friends of gardeners since they eagerly feed on many garden pests, like the caterpillar you put in the jar. Those sucking mouthparts can deliver a painful bite if the bug is carelessly handled.

(06/23/2004)   About a picture I saw on your site
Hello! I was recently trying to identify a strange bug that was lingering around the veterinary hospital where I work. It turns out that it was a wheel bug (true bug) nymph. It was hard to identify because it doesn't have the "wheel" yet and the abdomen was not as flat as the adult. I went to www.invasive.org to research the strange creature and found many pictures of adults, nymphs and females with eggs. You may want to inform Fred, who found one exactly like it on his screen door (on your site), to the above site. Oh, remind him that they may bite (so keep his distance) but are a gardeners friend.
Thank you for such a wonderful identi-site!
Kristin
Mechanicsville, Virginia



Thank you Kristen,
We just got another letter with a blurry photo of a Wheel Bug Nymph which is a type of Assassin Bug. We are posting a photo from the site you recommended.

(06/23/2004)Blurry Assassin Bug, probably a Wheel Bug Nymph
I was out pulling weeds in the garden and something stung me or bit me and this is what we found any Ideals as to what it is?  Conserned for my grandchildren is it dangerous?
Mary Thank for your time.



Hi Mary,
It is a species of Assassin Bug, but I can't tell which because of the poor focus.  They give a painful bite, but are actually harmless.  They are good in the garden because they will eat other insects that damage plants.  Just learn to treat them with respect and you won't be bitten again.  Teach your grandchildren not to handle them and they won't be bitten, but again, they are harmless.

(04/04/2004) Assassin Bug Nymphs
Help with identifying these bugs would be appreciated. They are on a neighbor's pecan tree. I've looked at web sites that discuss pecan pests and nothing looked like this. In the first email I forgot to state that we are in the Dallas/Ft.Worth Texas area.



Dear Ft. Worth,
We checked with out resident expert at the Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles, and he agreed that you have Assassin Bug Nymphs, newly hatched. You are not finding them on the pecan pest site because they are not pests. They are predators who will help rid the trees of aphids and other destructive insects. They are beneficial, though when they are grown, they can inflict a painful bite to humans if carelessly handled.

(02/17/2004) Assassin Bug!
I am trying to figure out what this bug is – I think its all the same bug but in different stages of life cycle.  I was bitten by one on my thumb.  It burned really bad when stung and has been swollen, red and itchy for 2 days now.  Any help would be appreciated. CHECK, THERE ARE TWO TYPES, ONE HAS BLACK WINGS AND THE SECOND IS GROWING WINGS.
Kim Shraibati    
Austin , Texas

Dear Kim,
Your photos are stunning. You have been bitten by an Assassin Bug, Family Reduviidae, which will inflict a painful bite if carelessly handled. Most species are predaceous on other insects. They have piercing/sucking mouthparts which are very visible in your photos. Sorry I cannot give you an exact species name, but it appears you have a nymph and adult of the same species. It is probably a Zelus species.

Thanks.  I think I must be extra allergic because the itching is pretty bad.  Finally the swelling is going down.  Now I know to stay pretty far away from those guys.
Kim

Masked Hunter
(02/16/2004)
My daugter found a bug about 5/16" long and 1/4" wide.  It is blue (like a torguoise), 6 legs, semi hard shell looking.  Don't have a photo.  They found it in their bathroom which is on the upper floor of a 3 story apartment bldg, all cement.  Wish you cuold help identify.  They still have it in a baggy.  It is now dead.  Maybe I can get a photo and email it this week.



I'm guessing you have a Masked Hunter, Reduvius personatus, a type of Assassin Bug from the family Reduviidae. These are True Bugs and they they are predatory. They are often found indoors where they prey on Bedbugs, but they are fully capable of delivering a painful bite to people who carelessly handle them. They get their common name because they have the habit of accumulating lint on their heads and bodies, and hence become masked. It looks like your daughter's specimen has accumulated turquoise lint, possibly from a carpet.

I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR RESPONDING.  I have just never seen anything like it in all my years, but it makes sense.  thanks again.

(01/24/2004)Red mantis-like bug with white spots
Greetings from Texas, Mr. Bugman!
I have recently found a colony of pretty little insects in my garden, but I don't know what they are. They have the body that reminds me of a mantis without the bobbley head. The 3/4" slender body is bright red with tiny white spots, and the legs and antennae are black. Hopefully these graceful looking little creatures won't be harmful to my flower garden.
--De Smith
New Braunfels, TX

Dear De Smith,
My first inclination was to say you might have Assassin Bugs, probably nymphs. I cannot give an exact species. We just got a photo of a young assasin bug that fits your description rather accurately. Here it is.  these are beneficial. They are predators that will eat harmful insects.



Yes!!  That's what we have in our garden.  Thanks so much for your research!
--De

(01/04/2004)  new pics from NC
Dear Daniel, I was so excited to get these two pictures that I just had to share them with you.  - Lynette

This Assasin Bug nymph will eventually grow wings. I can tell you it is a member of the family Reduviidae, recognizable because of the neck between the small head and thorax, but it is difficult to identify the exact species because of the immature status. Be careful, they can deliver a painful bite, but they are beneficial in the garden where they help to control pests like caterpillars.

(12/24/2003) Kissing Bugs
I found your site today and I really enjoyed it. Reading about many of the "lil critters" reminded me of something i saw on a show on tv once. Now, first off, i saw this a long time ago, and do not remember the story exactly, but i think i can give a fairly good idea of what i saw.This program was telling the story of a couple who was having some sort of problem, with the wife waking up, in near convulsions, and requiring several hospitalizations. The story ended up saying that it was traced back to an insect. I do not remember the actual name, but i believe they called them kissing bugs, and i "think" the area it happened in was Washington state, but i am not sure. They said something to the effect that the bugs would crawl out at night, and go up on their bed. Then they for some reason either bit/left a toxic substance on the woman, who had major reactions to it. I am curious if you have any idea if this was actually a possibly true occurrence, or if this was simply made-up hype that i am poorly remembering.
BTW, very nice site. excellent info, and nice, easy to navigate site layout. Keep up the good work!
frank in oklahoma.
P.S. I enjoyed reading some of the references to our lovely little oklahoma scorpions and centipedes.The scorpions here are not really that bad, mostly small, 2-5 inch (tail included) tan or dark ones. Stings are somewhat painful, roughly like being stuck with a needle. The centipedes are abit worse though, as I have had painful encounters with both sets of critters :) One thing I learned a year or two ago that you might find interesting. Scorpions actually have 2 venoms, or at least some species do. It is based on a salt molecule. One is for defense and one is for killing. the defense one, is actually the more painful of the two, and is used more commonly, as the killing venom is more "taxing" for the scorpion to produce. I'll see if i can find the link to the report i saw this info in.found one link, i have a better one, but will have to look around to find it.

Hi Frank,
Thank you for the nice letter. The story about the Kissing Bugs is true. They are true bugs and members of the Assassin Bug family Reduviidae. In Los Angeles we have a species called the Western Cone-Nose Bug, Triatoma protracta. According to Hogue, our favorite expert, "The Western Cone-nose Bug can be readily recognized by its medium size (5/8 to 3/4 in. long) and solid blackish or dark brown color. The abdomen has flared sides and is compressed in the center. This bug has a bad reputation, rightfully earned. It belongs to a group of bugs called Kissing Bugs (from their habit of biting sleeping persons about the lips; they are also known as Bellows Bugs, Walpai Tigers (in Arizona), Cross Bugs, Big Bedbugs, China Bedbugs, or Sacred Bugs). The normal food of kissing bugs is the blood of vertebrate animals, including humans: among the many species in the American tropics are some that act as vectors of Chagas' Disease, a serious malady caused by a trypanosome protozoan similar to that which causes African Sleeping Sickness. ... The bug's saliva contains substances foreign to the human system and capable of causing a serious allergic reaction. The symptoms range from simple itching, severe swelling, joint pain, nausea, chills, and dizziness to anaphylactic shock. Persons exhibiting severe allergic symptoms after a bite by one of these bugs are advised to consult a physician immediately and also to capture the bug and keep it alive for diagnosis. It should be emphasized, however, that the bug's bite causes little or no reaction in most individuals; like the sting of the Honey Bee, it is not to be unduly feared except by a few especially sensitive individuals."

More Fan Mail
(10/16/2003)
Just wanted to say, your site is excellent! I was looking for what turned out to be a Wheel Bug, a picture of which was sent in by a boy in Pennsylvania, the same day I saw the bug in central Texas! The strength of your site seems to be a combination of three important factors:
1) seasonal bugs seem to make themselves conspicuous at the same time of year over a broad range, making them a curiosity to many people simultaneously,
2) the popularity and effectiveness of your site is such one of these curious people will actually act on their sighting and
3) your dedication and accuracy feed back to the curious, reinforcing your site's popularity and effectiveness. Very Nice!
Mike

Thank you so much Mike,
Your letter really made my day.

(10/11/2003)
My Son found this bug in the back yard. It kind of looks like the Coreid Bug or Leaf Footed Bug shown on your web page, but it has an arched back. We seen it on October 11 and we live in South Central Pennsylvania.

You are close. It is a true bug, but not a leaf footed bug. You have found a Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus, a member of the Assassin bug family Reduviidae. These are predators that eat other insects, sucking them dry. Some species are able to bite humans with their piercing/sucking mouthparts. Many species will inflict a painful bite if carelessly handled. The Wheel Bug gets its name from the semi-circular crest that terminates in spurs and resembles a cogwheel. The species is fairly common.

Masked Hunter ?
(9/9/2003) Found in bathroom and bedroom
My fiance found these while I was at work... And saved them to show me..but I have no idea what they are.. The body is about .50" Picture is taken through a drinking glass. Help us identify this bug. Looks like some kind of overgrown dust mite.

It isn't a dust mite, but rather a Hemipteran or True Bug. It appears to be a Masked Hunter, Reduvius personatus which according to Borror and DeLong in An Introduction to the Study of Insects, is a brownish black bug that is often found in houses; it feeds on bed bugs but will also bite man. It has a habit of accumulating lint on its head, and thus becomes masked."

Dear Samantha,
It looks like a type of Assassin Bug, but I can't tell you the exact species.