CLOSED: CLOSED: Can anyone help me identify this insect?

windsor224 Haycock,Bucks County, PA(Zone 6b) Jul 18, 2008

Is it a good guy or bad guy. It was on my basil in a planter with tomatoes, basil and parsley. It's about an inch or so long.

My preview isn't showing the uploaded pic. So if it's not here, I'll upload it again.

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windsor224 Haycock,Bucks County, PA(Zone 6b) Jul 18, 2008

I had trouble uploading the second pic. Here it is.

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kniphofia Cramlington, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Jul 18, 2008

How amazing looking! I've never seen anything like it. Hope you get an ID!

Great photos BTW :)

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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) Jul 18, 2008

maybe some kind of assassin bug or wheel bug? offhand i would say good guy just from the looks of it. i can't wait to see what it is!

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 18, 2008

It definitely is an assassin bug (family Reduviidae). If it's an inch long and still a nymph, it would just about have to be a wheel bug (Arilus cristatus) - see http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/wheel_bug.htm for much more information on these fascinating creatures.

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windsor224 Haycock,Bucks County, PA(Zone 6b) Jul 20, 2008

Ooooo their sting sounds nasty. I captured him under a tall cup but it had holes in the top and I guess he escaped. He was gone when I went back to look. I sure don't want it around me but is it OK to leave it on the tomatoe plants (if he comes back)? Will it eat the basil or tomatoes?

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 20, 2008

You don't need to worry about it harming your plants as this bug is strictly a predator. It's the other insects on your plants that need to worry...

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windsor224 Haycock,Bucks County, PA(Zone 6b) Jul 20, 2008

Thanks to everyone. I was hoping that it was a good guy. Especially since it got away. LOL

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