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Jack Hoying | all galleries >> Galleries >> Photo A Day 2008 > Wheel bug / Assiassin bug
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18-SEP-2008 Jack Hoying

Wheel bug / Assiassin bug

Fort Loramie, Ohio

I have a photo of the immature nymph of this insect at http://www.pbase.com/jmhoying/image/99504193 .
The wheel bug adult usually measures from 1 to 1.25 inches long. This assassin bug is a dark robust, grotesque creature having long legs and antennae, stout beak, large eyes on a slim head, and a prominent thoracic, semicircular crest suggesting a cogwheel or chicken's comb. This is the only insect species in the United States with such a crest. The number of teeth (tubercles) in the crest varies from eight to 12. Females are longer and wider than males, with the abdominal margins being more widely exposed in the females. A very fine yellowish pubescence is present over most of the body, except the elytral membrane which produces bronze-colored reflections. The overall color is mostly dark brown. Variable amounts of tiny white patches or granules are scattered throughout the pubescence.

Nikon D300 ,Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro
1/60s f/45.0 at 105.0mm iso200 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time18-Sep-2008 15:58:51
MakeNikon
ModelNIKON D300
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length105 mm
Exposure Time1/60 sec
Aperturef/45
ISO Equivalent200
Exposure Bias-0.33
White Balance
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Programaperture priority (3)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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fotabug02-Oct-2008 04:31
Fine macro shot
Ann25-Sep-2008 05:42
Great capture of this ugly looking bug.
Pam Haley - FrogHouse Photo24-Sep-2008 07:48
Great shot - nice to have a picture of the adult form after having seen the immature one last year.
Guest 19-Sep-2008 21:17
Oh my... what a great closeup of that bug!
Ruth Voorhis19-Sep-2008 16:40
Great capture.
Guest 19-Sep-2008 12:40
A nice shot of this unusual creature.
Guest 19-Sep-2008 07:34
Excellent Jack, super detail and interesting explanation, ugly though LOL.
Paul Milholland19-Sep-2008 02:52
Scary-looking guy, Jack.
Bea.19-Sep-2008 02:11
Excellent close up of this interesting insect. Such a small head on that large body..
Guest 19-Sep-2008 01:42
This is very good. I have seen several of these assissin bugs this year but didn't get any decent photos of them. Well done.