long-legged bug with shield-like armor on its back
November 6, 2009
I saw this bug in November of 2009. It was on my front porch. The closest description I can give is that it looked like a grasshopper only with flat wings instead of vertical wings. The shield-like “armor” on its back raised up about 1/4 inch from the body and appeared to have “fake” eyes on the lower front. Its head extended forward in an elongated fashion from the main body with long antennae. Pictures are included from the top, bottom and side.
R Morana
Northwest TN. near Kentucky Lake
Wheel Bug
Dear R,
This is North America’s largest predatory Assassin Bug, the Wheel Bug.
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Posted 07 November 2009
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Predatory Orange Bug
November 1, 2009
These bugs are everywhere in my butterfly garden! They rapidly consume the caterpillars, and the favorite food seems to be the Cloudless Sulphur cats. Getting these photos was difficult as they kept flying away, but I finally got a few….
Any ideas on what these might be?
Thanks so much!
Houston, TX
Milkweed Assassin Bug
Because of its resemblance to the Milkweed Bug, your insect, Zelus longipes, is known as a Milkweed Assassin Bug, though it is not typically associated with Milkweed. Both wingless nymphs and winged adults feed on soft bodied insects like caterpillars, and they are generally thought of as beneficial in the garden where they feed on armyworms and cucumber beetle larvae. If carelessly handled, Milkweed Assassin Bugs might bite and the bite is reported to be painful.
Milkweed Assassin Bug Nymph
Thanks so much! I really appreciate yall’s site. The Unnecessary
Carnage page was definitely my favorite – please ignore the Nasty
Readers 
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Posted 02 November 2009
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“Wheelbarrow Bug”
November 2, 2009
This is a bug I see about once a year, although it’s probably common. My parents’ generation calls it a “wheelbarrow” bug because of the wheel-like appendage on it’s back. But, I’d like to know what it’s real name is. My aunt said it was odd to see one this late in the year, but we haven’t had a freeze yet. This bug was crawling on the swing, and it would watch me as I tried to get in close to photograph it, and turn to face me. It was not a fast-moving creature (as bugs go). It’s most unusual feature is the thin gear- or wheel-like appendage on the creature’s back that is visible when viewed from the side. It is grey and black in color, and about 3.5 cm in length.
Michael Wilson
Carter County, Oklahoma, USA
Wheel Bug
Hi Michael,
Though we have not heard the common name Wheelbarrow Bug, we like it. The common name for this large Assassin Bug, Arulus cristatus, is Wheel Bug. Since it only has one “wheel” like a wheelbarrow, we find your name to be most appropriate. Like other Assassin Bugs, Wheel Bugs might bite if carelessly handled.
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Posted 02 November 2009
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Mini Praying Mantis
October 30, 2009
Hi,
My cat first found one of these interesting creatures inside our house (7/6/09), and I made a short video of it before letting it go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoISwh7K8BE
Last night (10/29/09), in my cat’s water dish, I rescued another one (or the same one) from the water. It seems similar to the grass mantis (four spider-like legs), but both the head and body shape are clearly different. What do you think?
Best wishes,
Rich
Rich Smith / RichSmith.com / Los Angeles
West Los Angeles 90066
Thread Legged Bug
Hi Rich,
This is an Assassin Bug in the subfamily Emesinae, known as the Thread Legged Bugs. Our best guess is that it is in the genus Empicoris, characterized by “femora, tibiae, and antennae banded black and white; forefemora thickened, elongate; wings slender, extending slightly beyond tip of abdomen” according to BugGuide. The front legs that are modified for grasping insects do resemble the front legs of mantids.
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Posted 31 October 2009
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six leg, flying, single fang insect
October 21, 2009
Hi guys, This insect has been hanging around my house for a few days now 10/21/2009. I live in a suburb of Pittsburgh PA. Current temp is 60 ish. The insect was found clinging to a window screen, it also like painted block walls. The body from tail to the tip of the head is 1.5″ long. It seems to have a single “fang” and it does fly (not very gracefully). Can you tell me what it is?
Jim Holman
Munhall PA
Wheel Bug
Nevermind
Jim Holman to bugman
October 21, 2009
Sorry I was so quick on the trigger. I just submitted a request to id an insect or BUG in this case. I did find the insect on your site. I wasn’t sure how to search for it but using the word armored did the trick. I’m refering to the wheel bug. You may keep/use the images I sent if you like them.
Jim Holman
Pittsburgh PA
Wheel Bug
Hi Jim,
We are happy to see that you identified your Wheel Bug and sent us a cancellation of the identification request within eleven minutes. We are posting your letter for two reasons. First it demonstrates the efficiency of our search engine even without having any knowledge of insects, and we hope our readership makes use of it. Secondly, your photos are quite good and very illustrative of this large species of Assassin Bug. This is the only image we have ever received of a Wheel Bug with its wings expanded for flight. Though Wheel Bugs are not prone to biting humans, they can produce a painful bite with that piercing mouth.
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Posted 22 October 2009
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Orange-red bug with odd ridged tail
October 10, 2009
Dear Bugman,
I’m trying to help my son with a Science project, but can’t figure out what this bug is! We found this little critter scampering across the kitchen floor in our typical suburban neighborhood, Can you help?
Bug-ignorant Dad
Norman, Oklahoma, USA
Corsair Bug Nymph
Dear Bug-ignorant Dad,
This is some species of Assassin Bug, and it appears to be an immature specimen since the wings are not fully developed. We matched it to an unidentified Corsair Bug nymph posted to BugGuide, also from Oklahoma. The person who posted those images states: “Found under a rock. Hopefully these shots are better and maybe the ID can be gotten further. I know from past encounters with these that they are fairly quick and agile. So, when I turned the rock over it started making it’s escape. I didn’t have a container so I caught it in my hand and carried back to the house (a little over a quarter mile). I’m glad it didn’t decide to stab me with that proboscis!“ Members of this genus are reported to have a very painful bite.
Daniel,
Thanks so much for your help. It’s great to see that people with expertise in this field are willing to help those of use who are basically know – nothings.
Have a great day,
Kent
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Posted 11 October 2009
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What type if catepillars
October 5, 2009
Found eating Oleander near Hilton Head South Carolina
Walt Jankowski
Hilton Head SC
Oleander Caterpillar and Milkweed Assassin Bug
Hi Walt,
The caterpillar in your photo is known as the Oleander Caterpillar, and it is the larva of the Polka Dot Wasp Moth, Syntomeida epilais. Below the caterpillar is an immature Milkweed Assassin Bug, a predator that often feeds on caterpillars. We are uncertain if it will prey upon the Oleander Caterpillar. The caterpillar stores toxins from the oleander in its body which renders it unpalatable to many predators.
Insect With Gold Wing Tips
October 4, 2009
I was hiking around Sugarloaf Mountain with some friends when we spotted this odd insect. I looked around trying to identify it, but couldn’t find anything so I thought I’d ask.
Brian B
Sugarloaf Mountain, MD
Wheel Bug
Hi Brian,
This is a Wheel Bug. Not all Wheel Bugs exhibit this coloration, and it may just be the way the light is reflecting on the wing membranes.
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Posted 05 October 2009
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Assassin bug dining on Japanese beetle
September 20, 2009
While out scouting for butterflies, I came upon this slightly grizzly scene of a wonderful assassin bug dining on a Japanese beetle. Glad it wasn’t me!
This was taken on June 30, 2009 in Orange County, VIRGINIA — the original OC
Lynne from Virginia
Orange County, Virginia
Wheel Bug eats Japanese Beetle
Hi Lynne,
Thanks for sending your wonderful Food Chain documentation. More specifically, the Assassin Bug is a Wheel Bug. We are sure your photo will bring great joy to many gardeners who are plagued each year by the appearance of the scourge, the Japanese Beetle. The invasive exotic Japanese Beetle appears in great numbers each year and feeds on many ornamental and food plants, including roses. We have heard that this year in Ohio, the Japanese Beetles can still be found despite the late date.
What is this bug?
September 17, 2009
It is bright orange usually walks up on it’s legs but can fly too. Has 6 dark black legs, wings, and 2 antennas. Likes to hang out in my garden or on my key lime tree. I have seen it out in the hot summer months here: June, July, August.
Carrie Labani
Houston, Texas
Milkweed Assassin Bug
Hi Carrie,
Your insect is a beneficial predator known as a Milkweed Assassin Bug that will help keep your plants pest free, though they will also prey upon beneficial pollinating insects. Treat the Milkweed Assassin Bug with respect as they might give a painful bite if carelessly handled.
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Posted 18 September 2009
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Bizarre yellow bug with red eyes!
September 14, 2009
We found this little guy/gal (1/4 or 1/8 of an inch long) on some flowers in the yard. I have never seen anything like it before in my life. Does anyone know what the heck this thing is?
Nessa
SW Missouri
Ambush Bug
Hi Nessa,
This is a predatory Assassin Bug known as an Ambush Bug. Not too long ago, Ambush Bugs were classified in their own family, but they have recently been downgraded to the subfamily Phymatinae of the Assassin Bug family Reduviidae. True to their name, the camouflaged Ambush Bugs will wait on flowers until a pollinating insect arrives to feed.
Mean Looking Armored ?
September 13, 2009
I found this bug in a web on my fence walkthrough. I have never seen anything like it. 6 Legs, “Spiky armor” down it’s back. and it’s head is like a needle. This is one mean looking bug! I don;t know weather it made the web or just got caught in it. On it’s lower-side, very back there is a red spot and it seems that it’s dripping down the web in the photos.
David
West, Lafayette, Indiana
Wheel Bug trapped in web
Hi David,
This is a predatory Wheel Bug and it is reported that the bite is quite painful. Wheel Bugs do not form webs and this individual has been trapped in a Spider’s Web.
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Posted 14 September 2009
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Tagged: food chain
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