Subject: Red insect grasshopper sized
Location: Virginia
July 17, 2013 5:44 pm
We have never seen it around here before. Was on our box woods. Horn thing extending from head. About the size of a grasshopper. One hour later it changed color. From bright red to grey-brown-red.
Signature: Caroline
Hi Caroline,
This is a newly metamorphosed Wheel Bug, a species of Assassin Bug. You can see its exuvia or cast off exoskeleton to the left. The Wheel Bug will eventually darken to a dark gray when its exoskeleton hardens.