Doing a school project and need help identifying this cutie. Found in central Illinois.
Posted Apr 25, 2020, 11:05 PM UTC
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Definitely a wheel bug
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While we are happy to help point you in the right direction, we don't want to do your homework for you. How far have you been able to get on your own?
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The project isn't really about identifying a bug, it's about explaining the conservation status of any animal that we come in contact with and can take a picture of. I just wanted to write about this one because it was the most interesting one I could find opposed to like a robin. Sorry for making it seem that way.
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Ok, gotcha! In any case, it looks like u/MrWheelBug has provided the necessary assistance!
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Antennae are way too long for that.
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Per sub guidelines, don't make blind/random guesses. Especially for medically significant bugs, if you aren't 100% sure, leave the ID to someone more knowledgeable.
While this is an assassin bug, it is absolutely NOT a kissing bug. It is one of the predatory assassin bugs. Like the vast majority of assassin bugs, it feeds on other bugs - not on the blood of humans or other mammals - and it does not spread diseases.
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He's fairly big, about three inches and was hanging out on a pillar outside my building.
Why hello there OP. As U/Chandalowe said, if you're ID'ing it for a school project, try to see how far you can get yourself since it'll help you learn the taxonomy.
So I'd first like you to take a look at that really cool spiky thing protruding from its back. Is that reminiscent of any familiar disk shaped, round object? That'll be the most important clue here.
And see that really creepy hook shaped thing protruding from under its head?
WeThey use it as a dagger for impaling other bugs. There's a word that beings with 'A' that describes someone who's a professional killer, and is also the name of the family that these bugs are in. Hint: These people are known to have a creed.Is it a wheel bug (Arilus cristatus)? I only looked at it from overhead and actually didn't notice the wheel on it. I'm pretty scared of most bugs and was really proud that I managed to put my hand that close as a reference.
Correct! It's one of my beautiful people, a member of the Assassin Bug family (Reduviidae). We're professional assassins of other pest bugs that would ordinarily cause you anguish by destroying your garden. Stink bugs, beetles, caterpillars, you name it.
Oh my gosh. I feel so dumb I didn't even notice your username...
Thank you for the help!