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Project Noah Nature School
Arilus cristatus
The Wheel Bug Nymph has 6 long black legs and 2 long black antenna, also a bright orange/red thorax. They can be as small as 1/4 inch when just hatched.
Forests, Suburban Areas
The Wheel Bug Nymph has 6 long black legs and 2 long black antenna, that are used to imitate the extra set of legs an arachnid would have, as a passive defense mechanism. The Nymphs also have bright orange/red thoraxes as an added defense mechanism, to ward off potential predators. They can have a very painful bite, though not dangerous, and should not be handled. They hatch from eggs laid on trees in a cluster and usually stay close to the nest for several weeks. They change color as they grow, from bright orange to grey/brown of the adults.
Spotted on Jun 5, 2013
Submitted on Jun 18, 2013
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