The Assassin Bug

The Wheel bug is a type of Assassin bug. Assassin bugs earn their name by surprising their prey and viciously attacking it. They lie in wait on flowers or in tree bark and pounce on unsuspecting victims. Using their front legs, they pin the victim down while stabbing it to death with a beak that is usually tucked into a groove on their ‘chest’. At times Wheel Bugs make squeaking-type noises by rasping this beak on the ridges of the groove. Assassin bugs WILL bite people if handled carelessly and the bite is reported to be somewhat excruciating.

Females lay bottle-shaped eggs in clusters on twigs and other parts of the plant. The newly hatched larvae of the wheel bug have a black line running between two red sides on their abdomen.

The nymph of the Wheel bug also appears very different from the adult form. It looks like a spider, but does not have 8 legs. The red and black markings on the abdomen are still visible. The abdomen is curved upward, always appearing to be on guard and ready to attack.

Photo credits goes to the taker of this picture.

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