In Georgia – Black with Red Back
Mon, Jun 1, 2009 at 5:35 PM
I have never seen this insect here in Georgia before. Image attached.
Thanks.
AJS
Atlanta, Georgia
Dear AJS,
This is an immature Wheel Bug, one of the Assassin Bugs. In the spring, we often get identification requests for hatchling Wheel Bugs which resemble ants and stay in a group, and beginning in mid summer, photos of adult Wheel Bugs will begin to appear in our mail. Your photo is of an older nymph that has ventured from its siblings. Wheel Bugs can bite if provoked, and the bite is painful, but they are advantageous predators.