Wheel Bug - Reduviid - Arilus cristatus
by Carol Senske
Title
Wheel Bug - Reduviid - Arilus cristatus
Artist
Carol Senske
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
This description is paraphrased from Wikipedia;
Wheel bugs are one of the largest bugs in North America, and can reach 1-1/2 inches length. What people usually recognize is the wheel-shaped pronotal (in the area of the first legs) armor. They hunt and eat soft-bodied insects like caterpillars, Japanese beetles, etc., which they pierce with their beak to inject salivary fluids that dissolve soft tissue. Because most of their prey are pests, wheel bugs are considered beneficial insects, although they can inflict a painful bite if handled carelessly.
Wheel bugs are common in eastern North America, although many people in the region have never seen them. They are camouflaged and very shy, hiding whenever possible. They have membranous wings, allowing for clumsy, noisy flight which can easily be mistaken for the flight of a large grasshopper. The adult is gray to brownish gray in color and black shortly after molting, but the nymphs (which do not yet have the wheel-shaped structure) have bright red or orange abdomens.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_bug
On a personal note, I enjoy their "personalities". When unsure if I am a threat, they hide on the far side of a branch or stem and peek around to see if I've left yet. Their faces are expressive (to my anthropomorphic mind) and this one didn't run and hide because I was speaking softly to it the whole time I was photographing - or maybe it thought it was already hidden in the flowers, who knows?
Uploaded
October 6th, 2013
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Viewed 338 Times - Last Visitor from Romeo, MI on 04/24/2024 at 1:54 PM
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Comments (7)
Randy Rosenberger
I really love this awesome piece of artwork from your portfolio! I am happy to promote and comment on your works, as they are of a high standard of quality and creativity that I look for in representatives for our group, Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery. Thanks for being an active member and sharing your artistic talents with all of us in the art world.
Mother Nature
Thank you very much for the feature in Macro Photograph, Neal. It's a great group and I'm honored!
Saurabh and Geetanjali Nande
Beautiful closeup image.. i loved it, so my f/v
Carol Senske replied:
I'm really pleased you like it enough to give it a F/V, and thank you, too, for the wonderful comment!
Doris Potter
Oh my! What a wonderful find and such a great shot! I'm envious! F/V
Carol Senske replied:
You're too nice:>) You know how much fun these guys can be! Thanks for the V/F - very much appreciated.
Nava Jo Thompson
Wow---what a great close-up! Congratulations you your WFS feature :) voted
Carol Senske replied:
You are so lovely to drop in, Nava Jo, and to leave this wonderful comment! Thanks so much for the vote, too 0 it is greatly appreciated:>)
Randy Rosenberger
Carol, this is one of the coolest macro images I have ever seen, with the critter upon the florals! Neat bug, and don't remember ever seeing this one. Neat experience and lovely imagery! I am very pleased to make this special FEATURE, on our homepage of the Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery Homepage. It is of the highest quality and integrity and this piece of artwork is very well deserving of high accolades by all members of FAA! I am proud to display and promote your grand artworks, and am very happy to have you as a member of our family of friends and fine artists within our WFS group. fave and vote Forever, Elvis
Carol Senske replied:
I am without adequate words to say thank you, Randy - this is so nice of you; what a lovely comment and to get a V/F as well is icing on the cake:>)
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