pics of my assasin bug

[ilovebugs]

anyone care to guess on age/stage? no wings yet so I think it's still in the nyph stage or whatever...

 

[Wade]

I'd say its a nymph of the wheel bug (or wheeled assassin), Arilus cristatus. I'd guess maybe two more molts to maturity. They're the largest assassin native to the US.

Wade

 

[Brian S]

It is a wheel bug. Don't let it bite you 'cause it will hurt. I have been bitten by them before and it hurts as much if not more than a wasp sting.