What in the Wide World of Sports is this Bug?

Briar Hill Brittanys · Jul 21, 2011

Saw a few of these guys starting a couple of weeks ago. Now they're all over the okra, a few in the tomatoes. Saw some in the squash and cucumbers before I sprayed, one of them was eating a squash bug. They don't move very fast, and kinda look at you like "I dare you".

kessol · Jul 21, 2011

Looks like it might be a Wheel Bug.

They are beneficial as they eat other bugs, but they can also bite.

charlie n · Jul 21, 2011

It looks like a member of the mantis family.If it was eating a bug it might not be a bad thing.Good Luck.

NCWayne · Jul 21, 2011

I've seen them alot here in NC over the years. In fact I've seen some of them that have been pretty good sized. Still I never knew what they were called but until I looked them up in response to your question.

Take a look at the link. Looks like they are a true BUG, not some kind of beatle like I always thought. They are called a "Wheel Bug" for some reason. Too it looks like the feed on other bugs, not on the plants, so I'd imagine having them in the garden would bew a good thing. Thanks for asking and giving me an incentive to look them up, I learned something new today....
Insect ID

GeneMO · Jul 21, 2011

It is an assassin beetle, often called a "wheel bug" due to the little half gear looking thing on it's back. They have a nasty sting, worse than a bumble bee. You generally dont see them in groups, just a few single ones. They can fly.

Smack it to the ground and grind it in the dirt.

Gene

Briar Hill Brittanys · Jul 21, 2011

Thanks for the InsectID link, NCWayne. And thanks to everyone that replied. I added that site to my favorites. Yes, it is a wheel bug. I'll just give them an "attaboy" next time I come across one. I was worried a little bit it was one more mouth to feed. There are quite a few of them in my garden. And I learned something today, too! Mark

Detmurds · Jul 21, 2011

That is a very nice picture you took! Interesting for sure!

BushogPapa · Jul 21, 2011

Looks like my "Buddy" I call an UGLY-BUG..!!

They are my friends, they eat Japanese Beetles..!!!

Ron..

Mark - IN. · Jul 21, 2011

I just saw a special on them. Looks just like the same one. I don't remember what they called it, but here's what you have to do. Get the family gathered inside the front door, while you very gingerly walk out to the garage or barn, very slowly so as not to step on any so the rest of them don't get riled and attack the whole town. After slowly opening the garage or barn door, quietly because noise riles them too, push your car or truck to the house, by hand, and slowly so as not to squash any under the tires, or the other ones will get riled too. Push, SLOWLY, your vehicle to the front porch and whisper for your family to come out without stepping on any...

Naw, that was that movie "The Birds". What the heck was I thinking about?

I know what that thing is. Its Barney!!! I've seen it on TV while the niece was over watching. Don't remember Barney that many legs, but thats him. Thats Barney. I can tell by his color.

Mark

What in the Wide World of Sports is this Bug?

Briar Hill Brittanys

Well-known Member

kessol

Member

charlie n

Well-known Member

NCWayne

Well-known Member

GeneMO

Well-known Member

Briar Hill Brittanys

Well-known Member

Detmurds

Member

BushogPapa

Well-known Member

Mark - IN.

Well-known Member

Similar threads