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Arilus cristatus
The wheel bug, in the family Reduviidae, is one of the largest terrestrial true bugs in North America, being up to 1.5 inches, or 38 mm, in length. A characteristic structure is the wheel-shaped pronotal armor.
Found where prey is abundant: adults often lurk on composite (daisy-like) flowers attractive to insects, or prowl in trees where caterpillars are plentiful.
This wheel bug was dining on a spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata). A 2nd beetle can be seen in photo #2.
Spotted on Sep 13, 2011
Submitted on Feb 16, 2012
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