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Arilus cristatus
The wheel bug (Arilus cristatus), 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; it is the only member of its genus. A characteristic structure is the wheel-shaped pronotal armor.
Thanks to KristalWatrous for the ID on this, I was almost too leery of it and got rid of it before I read the description. Now it's in the garden.
I've got to go with Kristal on this one, I'm a total amateur but when I looked up both species, it's definitely the Wheel Bug, aka the assassin. And it is really freaky looking! I'm glad I left him in the garden :P
Mitch, did you take a look at the second photo? The side view shows the distinct spiny "wheel" on this insect's thorax, which is lacking in L. occidentalis.
It is an assassin bug, therefore beneficial to have in your yard or garden. Scary looking though, isn't it?
Spotted on Oct 26, 2011
Submitted on Oct 26, 2011
