CLOSED: Strange looking bug

Please hep me identify this bug. I've never seen something like this before... thank you.

It's a Wheelbug, Arilus cristatus. One of the Assassin Bugs. They're considered beneficial.

Thank you so much Kwanjin, I am very grateful for helping me to identify this bug... so interesting... I'd be interested to know how you knew the name or found it. I searched the net for over an hour before I found this site and an answer at last... thank you. I am grateful. Have a lovely day.

You are very welcome. I have seen this bug before and have been learning about insects and spiders for the past year. I miss on some and have no clue on others. There are others much more knowledgeable than I.

And Welcome to Dave's! You'll find so many fun things here. Everyone is so helpful and pleasant to talk to.

Excellent, thanks Kwanjin, you're a star! I'm so glad I found this site!

I think I will now post a picture of a huge spider my son photographed in our back yard... there is actually a series of pictures which would be nice if I can post them all... the spider's nest and babies, etc. Is there a way to post more than one picture at a time so that other people looking at them can see more about them all in one go. I know it's a hunting spider, but would love to know more about the specific speces my son captured in the photographs.

Can you advise me please, or must I just post one picture... I'd really love to post them all if I can.

Yes, I can help. Start a new thread and add your 1st pic. Then, when that has posted, scroll down and reply to your own thread. Every picture posted needs to have as least some text or it won't post. You can post as many pictures as you need to get it IDed.

I've only 'met' one other person from South Africa here. It's interesting to see other creatures and hear about other places.

Thank you so much... you are such a help. I'm getting a bit old I think, because I can never remember how I got to this page... but I will soon learn how this site works... I'll post our spider now if I can work out how to start a new thread again and where... thank you.

It's fairly simple. Even I could figure it out and I'm kind of slow. LOL

LOL! I'm still struggling, but it's getting easier by the day!!!

I found this in Ohio. What is the normal habitat and range?

As far as I know, their range is most of the USA.