Another unknown bug - ID requested please
Jul 7, 2019 16:20:17 #
Kaib795
Loc: Maryland, USA
cameranut wrote:
Always heard them called Assassin Bug.
Yes, I've heard it called this too. This was some fifty years ago that we dealt with the bug. Thanks for you for commenting.
Jul 7, 2019 16:32:07 #
Kaib795
Loc: Maryland, USA
cameranut wrote:
Always heard them called Assassin Bug.
Now you have me wondering, so I found this site with info
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/predators-assassin-bugs
It's a Wheel bug related to the Assassin bug types. We never liked them as seen at this site ... in action hunting a caterpillar. It's about how in kills with a injection of flesh melting fluid that won't kill you but certainly is very painful. It draws the fluid out as it's food. No pincers or teeth on this bug just a needle/straw mouth.
Jul 7, 2019 17:21:31 #
Yuck! What a gruesome video. Now I'm starting to wonder if what I've been seeing is the Wheel Bug instead of the Assassin Bug. They look the same. I have not seen the red ones. A neighbor of ours was bitten on the hand by the gray one (wheel bug ?) and had a lot of pain and problems later. He was left with a large hole in his hand even after a hospital visit and medications. Another reason to be extra careful where you put your hands this time of year.
Jul 7, 2019 21:17:01 #
samonk
Loc: Alabama
They can bite a human in defense. The site hurts and may do so for several days. There are reports of the pain lasting longer. They are not known to transmit disease. All in all, they are good guys since that are hunters of other insects that damage foliage and garden crops.
Jul 7, 2019 21:32:12 #
Kaib795
Loc: Maryland, USA
samonk wrote:
They can bite a human in defense. The site hurts and may do so for several days. There are reports of the pain lasting longer. They are not known to transmit disease. All in all, they are good guys since that are hunters of other insects that damage foliage and garden crops.
And I assume that's what happened to my brother. He simply didn't see it on the other side of the fence and rolled it over in so it attacked. They blend in to old wooden fences perfectly. And these bugs can get pretty big (2.25" long) and are a hard shelled bug in their center body. They don't attack humans but if you roll one over under your hand, well it's going to react.
Jul 7, 2019 21:33:41 #
The wheel bug is a large species of assassin bug. They are predators, and don't spread disease (that would be the job of a relative called the conenose bug). Don't handle it, they can bite hard. But left alone they are fine. They are part of nature.
Jul 23, 2019 17:55:18 #
randave2001 wrote:
Found this one while out shooting this morning. Anyone know what it is?
It's a beautiful shot of an interesting bug, dave.
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