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Project Noah Nature School
Arilus cristatus
This wheel bug was originally collected as a 5th instar nymph. A week later, it molted and entered its adult phase. Immediately after the molt, wheel bugs are a bright-red color. The common name comes from the cogwheel on its pronotum, which is only present in the adults.
Bushes, edge habitats.
The wheel bug is North America's largest terrestrial true bug, growing up to 1.5 inches long. Its bite can inflict quite a bit of pain, so take care if you handle one. Assassin bugs are predators and feed on other insects and small arthropods, and are viewed as beneficial insects. In the second picture, you can see its dark molted skin on the side of its enclosure. The fourth picture is taken four hours after its molt; the hardening of its exoskeleton (sclerotization) has darkened it quite a bit. The wheel bug will get a little darker, and then develop a gray, dusty look to its body. The last picture in this series shows the 5th instar, collected a week before it molted.
Spotted on Jul 13, 2011
Submitted on Aug 1, 2011
7 Comments
Added two more wheel bug encounters just now. But had to take a look at this amazing molting process! Great photos again! And congrats!
Very cool!
Fantastic series!
Some of my wheel bugs were over 2 inches.
WOW! So glad I came over to your photos! Fantastic!
Thanks Yasser! I've been waiting and waiting to finally get a picture of this happening, and boy did I get my wish!
incredible photos Derek!