Wheel Bug

Message 78 of 2428

There are quite a few predatory true bugs in the insect world. The wheel bug gets its name from the narrow, rounded protrusion from its back that has teeth in it like a cog wheel. This was a large one, almost two inches, that I watched slowly climb up this plant stem until it reached the top. I think it was on a hunting trip. I took this at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, NC on 4 Nov 2009.

posted by bug44man

Wonderful picture--you really have keyed in on the detail. Thanks for the description also. The blue flowers really are a nice contrast also. Glad it wasn't hunting me :)

posted by Eduk8er60
12 days ago

Ugly bug, good picture.

posted by Taffy41
12 days ago

Great photo. Lots of detail of an ugly bug.

posted by suecitysue
12 days ago

Beautiful colors -- great photo... and the thing can fly too?

posted by AddyB
12 days ago

this is that same other bug just this time he is on the move, heh?
As with your other shot this one is well focused
and compositionally right on.
What'd you do, follow him around all day?

posted by tjbr52
12 days ago

Actually, someone else posted a picture of a similar bug. They are very interesting to watch, in real slow motion. I would not want to grab one though. They have long, needle-like mouth parts and can give a very painful bite.

posted by bug44man
12 days ago

A very nice shot bugman, I have never seen any other bug that looks like this one. Thanks for letting us get a look at an interesting insect.