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Project Noah Nature School
Arilus cristatus
Family: Reduviidae (Assassin bugs) Adult. Length: 1.50 inches (38mm) not including long red antennae. Hook-like "feet". Gray/black with cog wheel. Long proboscis injects enzymes to paralyze prey (Soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars, stink bugs and Japanese and other beetles). The enzymes also dissolves the insides of the insects. It does have wings at the adult stage, but flies only short distances, but preferring to move slowly thru long tall grasses and weeds. Canna
Meadow with long grasses and weeds.
DO NOT HANDLE!! PAINFUL BITE!! (not from experience)
Spotted on Jul 27, 2013
Submitted on Aug 6, 2013
3 Comments
Thank you for the wonderful response for my favorite "bug". (Not including moths)
Great shot!
Very nice photos!