Wheel Bug

Dada found another interesting bug in the garden yesterday, a wheel bug (Arilus cristatus)! It is also commonly called an assassin bug. Wheel bugs eat other insects; such as, aphids, caterpillars, and beetles. Due to this, they are considered beneficial to farmers and gardeners.

Word to the wise – Do NOT pick them up! When they bite, a toxin is secreted which is designed to kill their prey. Though their bite is not enough to kill a human, it is meant to be incredibly painful. It has been described as being worse than a wasp sting.