After nearly ten years, we are finally having our house built. It's only in the framing stage, but we're so excited that we were crawling all over it this week-end. I spotted this fellow on one of the studs. The body, not counting the length of the legs, was about 1-1/4" long. The antennae are reddish, but the interesting part was the the toothed keel on its back. I haven't been able to ID it. Anyone know what it is?
I don't know what it is but it is certainly something! Not sure I would want him crawling up my arm though.
C
I don't know either but just saw one close to my back door yesterday and was afraid he wanted in! Uglyyyy sucker. Thought at first he had leaves stuck to his back.... Hope someone knows.
Thanks, ajn. Beneficial but still ugly...
I love these bugs. This time of year I catch them and put them in the greenhouse, they are great at eating the caterpillars that get on by Brugs. I wonder if the Anoles I put in there also eat them.
We saw one on the house yesterday, too. I guess they are looking for somewhere sheltered for the cold? I've got a whole garden full of col-eating caterpillars, too bad they don't want to hang out back there...
If they eat caterpillars, I do love them. Ugly but useful and they are welcome in my yard.
C
Thank you ANJTEXAS for the information. He sure was a slow moving thing. As I was taking photo after photo, I was in awe at his patience with me. Most other insects would have taken off.
Ken, I wish I had know about his use in the greenhouse. If I find another one, that's where he is going to spend his winter.
They are a beneficial insect, but they can give you a painful bite. The only time we've had one bite was my grandson who was just too agressive with it. I have had them walk onto my hand and up my arm and their feet just tickle a little bit. Be nice to it, and it will be nice to you.
This time of year I find all kinds of insects and lizards and put in the greenhouse. I think I have put 5 Praying Mantis in this year, I love to find females early enough for them to lay egg sacks in the GH. We have ordered Praying Mantis and lady Bugs several years and it helps in keeping mites and aphids in check. This year I got some cuttings from Nadine and they all have mites and I am having to spray Forbid on 6-packs of cuttings.
Well I wasn't going to comment...but hey I pay my dues and someone may care.
I raise the caterpillars of swallowtails, Monarchs and others and release them after they pupate. This wheel bug and the praying mantis kill the good cats and catch the adult butterflies also. I garden for the benefit of butterflies....so they aren't welcome in my garden.
Like someone said...they will give a powerfull bite if you aren't careful also.
This message was edited Dec 7, 2010 10:55 PM
This wheel bug and the praying mantis kill the good cats and catch the adult butterflies also. I garden for the benefit of butterflies...so they aren't welcome in my garden.
Yes, predators can be a problem in a butterfly garden.
I garden for plants and as a benefit enjoy buterflies so anything that eats plant pests is welcome to join in the mix and help even things out.
C
Found mine dead on the back porch yesterday....
I've found a few hanging out around my house as well. I'll remember to catch the next one I see and put it in my unheated greenhouse. If they also eat tomato horn worms they will be my friend for life =D! Wheelbugs can stay in the veg garden and I'll just catch and move any I see in the rest of the garden.
Careful as we said they have a powerful bite. Watch as you gather your veggies.
This message was edited Dec 10, 2010 7:31 AM
Is it just me or does TX really have more bitting/stinging pests then anywhere else in the US. ie Fire Ants, the above insect, those weird white cats....
Texas is definitely the buggiest place. LOL
Lisa if you are referring to the cat that was posted for id recently....a saddleback caterpillar? It was definately not white, just looked that way in their picture.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/507
sure hope I don't see any of them.
I think she was referring an asp. http://neuro.bcm.edu/eagleman/asp/
Yes the ASP thing
Yeah...that is another stinging pest.
EVERYTHING in TX stings. The other one looks like its wearing a dog sweater LOL
Yes it does, pretty cute isn't it?
Yes, it reminds me of a poodle.
