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rgwhit Addieville, IL Jun 29, 2011

need help identifying this thing

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Post #8662670
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flatpickit Charleston, SC Jun 29, 2011

This looks to be a nymph of an assassin bug- the Wheelbug, Arilus cristatus. It is the largest assassin bug in N. America i believe and uses that large proboscis to prey on insects.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/9990

Here's what it looks like as an adult:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/31189

Post #8662699
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rgwhit Addieville, IL Jun 30, 2011

ty it sure does grow up ugly LOL

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melody Benton, KY(Zone 7a) Jul 01, 2011

They can give a nasty bite if mishandled.

Post #8666165
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bitbythis Irwin, PA Jul 04, 2011

Quote from rgwhit :
need help identifying this thing


while watching a local baseball game I was startled by a very painful sting-like bite, and much to my surprise this bold spider stayed stinging me even after I tried to swat it off, finally after the third swat it fell to the ground, none-the-less leaving me with a 4 mm wound site with hard swelling for a few days. this creature really lives up to its "assassin" name.
thanks for the i.d. on this "oucher" cause it surely left myself and a few others bewildered!

This message was edited Jul 4, 2011 9:25 AM

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melody Benton, KY(Zone 7a) Jul 04, 2011

Uggh, sorry for your bite. They can be quite painful.

It isn't a spider. It is in the insect family and only has 6 legs. (spiders have 8)

Post #8671184
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