Large assassin nymph? (big pics!)

[Gemeines]

Hi! I was out yesterday and found this big assassin bug, it is the largest one I have ever seen in the wild. 1.2 inches and not a wheelbug.

it has no wings leading me to think it is a nymph and maybe it still has some growing to do?

Very agressive,:evil: I move in close and it raises its forearms in defense and lunges angrily at a blade of grass. not shy as all. No doubt it would bite.

And me caught without a bug jar.:wall:

I took many pics, there were also Japanese beetles all over the same plant.

http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bug141nk9.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bug142xv7.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bug143ya6.jpg

I just never saw one like this. Usually I find small bright green ones. Very pretty assassin too. Anybody know more about it?

 

[Waspman]

This is a wheel bug, Arilus cristatus. Nymphs lack wings and the "cog" on the thorax. They get both of these after their final molt.

 

[Gemeines]

Cool!

Hi! Thanks Waspman! So it is indeed a wheelbug?! Cool! I always wanted to get one after seeing the wheelbug posts on this site.

I went out and found another one that was much smaller. I have him in a jar right now. I will post more pics of this one too.

Thanks for the reply waspman!

 

[Waspman]

Glad to help!! These guys are pretty awesome. I kept a couple a few weeks ago. I love how they sneak up on their prey and quickly pounce on it.

 

[CopperInMyVeins]

Nice pictures! I'd really like to keep Arilus, haven't seen one in person, I've read that the eggs aren't very hardy compared to Platymeris eggs though, making them harder to breed.

 

[Gemeines]

Hi Waspman! Me too! I been watching this little titan take down all sorts of quarry! There was a large longhorn beetle/wood borer in the jar along with a mess of Japanese beetles and they all fell victim to the assassin.

I was in the field walking back to the house when I took a quick peek in the old Ovaltine Jar.

I was shocked to see the needle nosed killer already at work!






The demise of these beautiful pests emphasize the the use Of this beneficial bug.

@ CopperInmyVeins, Thanks for the compliment! I tried very hard to get these pics clear- as I do not have a macro filter and just have 5 Megapixles.

I would send you one/some if I could find more.. I have been looking. This bug is first sight for me. I was going to let it go after a while but now after what waspman told me I feel like I gotta hang on to see that thorax cog develop.

If no one cares, I will keep posting more pictures of this beastie.

Thanks for looking Guys!

 

[Stylopidae]

@ CopperInmyVeins, Thanks for the compliment! I tried very hard to get these pics clear- as I do not have a macro filter and just have 5 Megapixles.

Almost all cameras have a macro mode on them. I use a 5 MP Kodak z740 for all the pics I post here on the boards.

The pics in this thread were taken with a 5 MP camera.

If you know your camera type, I may be able to help you pin down where the macro mode is. PM me.

 

[Gemeines]

Hi Evil Cheshire! A kodak is a nice choice lol! I have a Kodak EasyShare DX4530 http://www.quesabesde.com/images/imagenes/Kodak EasyShare DX4530 En-ma.jpg
I got it from ebay about 3 years ago. I know that this camera has a close up setting but it still does not get the detail I would prefer even with 10X zoom. I also took about 13 shots before getting these pics..





If you know a way I could get even closer, that would be awesome.


. That cage you made is a cool idea. I have a bunch of those holders laying about. best use seen yet. Gooood Stuff!

I was harvesting Japanese beetles today and saw a Wasp accurately carving a leafhopper to shreds. Coolness.

Thanks EvilCheshire!

 

[Gemeines]

A morbid fascination.

This bug is soo entertaining. Like a mean little alien. It marches like a little robot.

7 Japanese beetles and 2 huge moths were company to this nymph...






I was kinda saddened by this pic in a way because I did not realize what was going on with the beetles till after the assassin administered "ownage" to the male beetle.


I got the feeling that this bug began killing simply because- it was clearly full in the pics and would drop freshly killed prey and move on to a moving target.


Now I know not to put so many prey items in with the nymph at once.

Hope no beetle lovers get too offended

 

[DarkRAM]

Here is the link from Kodak's site to show you how to use macro mode on you camera.

Click Here

Good luck.

 

[Gemeines]

Hey DarkRAM Thanks for that.

Turns out that is what I have been doing all along.

Im just not much of a photographer

I put a large katydid in with this bug today.

it will be interesting to see what happens

 

[Gemeines]

Assassin has Upgraded To 5.0 final!!

At first I got scared and thought he/she died...




But here is his/her Shiney new wheel!!

UPGRADED!!

Hope nobody minds me posting more pics here.

I really like these bugs.


Thanks for looking!!

 

[Gemeines]

Gotcha!

Oddly enough, this katydid seemed to attack the assassin first!

sorry for the blurryness.

 

[Gemeines]

Katydidntmakeit.

A little more assassinating.

 

[merezz88]

hi everyone , im new to the insect world so i hope you all can help me out . the pics that Gemeines posted are of the actual bug that just bit me!! on the 4th of july , man it hurt like hell and swelled a bit and left me with a blood blister....my question : is this the assassin bug that gives chagas disease? im very stressed last couple days trying to answer this question ....if bitten do you have to take antibiotics or seek medical help ?

 

[beetleman]

hi everyone , im new to the insect world so i hope you all can help me out . the pics that Gemeines posted are of the actual bug that just bit me!! on the 4th of july , man it hurt like hell and swelled a bit and left me with a blood blister....my question : is this the assassin bug that gives chagas disease? im very stressed last couple days trying to answer this question ....if bitten do you have to take antibiotics or seek medical help ?

no this is not the 1....your safe it should subside,but if it doesn't soon you may want put some antibiotic on it,it can be different on people w/reactions to the venom. hope ya feel better

 

[beetleman]

This bug is soo entertaining. Like a mean little alien. It marches like a little robot.

7 Japanese beetles and 2 huge moths were company to this nymph...






I was kinda saddened by this pic in a way because I did not realize what was going on with the beetles till after the assassin administered "ownage" to the male beetle.


I got the feeling that this bug began killing simply because- it was clearly full in the pics and would drop freshly killed prey and move on to a moving target.


Now I know not to put so many prey items in with the nymph at once.

Hope no beetle lovers get too offended

i luv beetles:clap: but i also luv assassins they rock! awesome pics of that guy.ive kept them aswell,they make wonderful captives,keep up the good work

 

[Gemeines]

i luv beetles:clap: but i also luv assassins they rock! awesome pics of that guy.ive kept them aswell,they make wonderful captives,keep up the good work

Awesome! Thanks for the compliments beetleman!

These are becoming favorites. They are huge conversation starters when company sees them.

 

[beetleman]

:clap: oh yeah they always get my blood pumping