Wheel Bug

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  Introduction

For this week’s blog post I wanted to write about one of the largest true bugs in North America the wheel bug. 

 Wheel Bugs in my Backyard

The wheel bug is a regular visitor to my backyard during the summer and early fall months. During these months it is not uncommon for me to encounter several wheel bugs a week. Most of the time I encounter these insects walking on the side of the house, walking across a tree branch, or resting on one of the garden plants. One time I was even lucky enough to capture a photo of a wheel bug eating a bumble bee.
               During the later spring months, I occasionally encounter juvenile wheel bugs. Most of the time, I spot them on the garden plants or in the flower garden. 



      Photo credit Matt Bell 2017                                                       

  Wheel Bug Facts

The wheel bug was discovered by Carl Linnaeus in 1763. The wheel bug is a type of assassin bug, and is one of the largest true bugs found in North America. The average size of a wheel bug is between 1.10 and 1.42 inches. Adult wheel bugs are a grayish brown color. Wheel bugs are diurnal insects, meaning they hunt and are most active during the day.
Wheel bugs do not move or fly very fast. Due to its slow speed, the wheel bug needs to rely on camouflage to hunt and avoid predators.
             One of the most distinguishing characteristics of a wheel bug is the spiky crest that can be found on the thorax. The purpose of the spiky crest is to act as a protective armor, and discourage possible predators from attacking.
 

  How Wheel Bugs Hunt

The wheel bug uses a proboscis to hunt and eat. The wheel bug attacks its prey by using its forelegs to grip, and then pinning the prey item. Once the prey is pinned the wheel bug drives its proboscis into the prey item. It then injects saliva, which contains an enzyme substance that causes paralysis. The prey item will become fully paralyze in about 30 seconds. The injected substance also dissolves the insides of the prey item. With the hard work done, the wheel bug is ready to eat. The wheel bug then uses its proboscis to suck up all the fluids from the prey item.
               Wheel bugs have also been known to engage in cannibalism. The female wheel bug may eat the male once mating is completed. The nymphs have also been known to consume one another. 

  Benefits of Wheel Bugs

In a garden or orchard setting, the wheel bug is considered a beneficial insect. Most garden pests like tent caterpillars, Mexican bean beetles, Japanese beetles, potato beetles, and cabbage worms are prey items for the wheel bug. The wheel bug is also one of the few predatory insects that will eat the brown marmorated stink bug. These factors makes the wheel bug a welcome addition to any garden.
            One downside of having wheels bugs in the garden is they also prey upon other beneficial insects. A hungry wheel bug will not hesitate to consume a fellow garden helper like the honey bee or lady bug.

  Reproduction and Juveniles 

Wheel bugs mate during the fall months. Normally, wheel bug eggs are laid 4 feet off the ground. Wheel bug eggs are laid side by side and are 3.7 mm long. A cluster of wheel bug eggs can range from 42 to 182 eggs. Once laid the female will cover the eggs in a secreted glue. This glue holds the cluster of eggs together, and protects the eggs from predators, parasites, and harsh weather. The eggs hatch during the following spring, normally in the month of May. Juvenile wheel bugs are known as nymphs. The nymphs look very different then the adult wheel bugs. The nymphs are black with orange abdomens. Nymphs will molt 5 times during their juvenile life, with around 18 days passing between each molt. By July the juvenile wheel bugs become adults.


  Photo Credit Gordon Brinton Jr
                                                                                                

                                                               

 Wheel Bugs Bite

Normally, wheel bugs try to avoid contact with humans if possible and are not aggressive. “When I encounter wheel bugs they do not care that I’m there. They go about their business of sucking the insides out of other insects and I go about mine.” However wheel bugs will attack in acts of defense. The bite of the wheel bug is not highly venomous, but is painful. As a child I learned this first hand. “On a warm summer day I placed a wheel bug on my leg and was tapping it with my finger. This caused the wheel bug to plunge its beak into my leg. I remember there was immediate pain which hurt more than the average bee sting. If I remember correctly, the pain lasted a few days and a small circular bruise formed around the bite area. The bruise lasted for about a week.”

  How to Safely Handle Wheel Bugs

In my opinion the best and safest way to handle wheel bugs is grabbing them by the spiky ridge on the thorax. This way the insect’s proboscis cannot reach you. From personal experience I would not recommend letting a wheel bug walk on exposed skin.
              When handled the wheel bug will also eject two orange scent glands from its abdomen. The gland releases a smell that is not strong enough for humans to detect. So, most people are left wondering what function these two small orange objects hold. Since you read this post you, will not be one of those people. You will know it is a scent gland.

   Conclusion

The wheel bug is an insect that may seem like a terrifying creature. Its spiky back and fluid sucking proboscis make this insect seem like the stuff of nightmares. However as we learned the wheel bug will avoid contact with people, and is a great insect to have in the garden. Join me next time as we explore wildlife in my backyard and other nature topics.                                 

   References and Additional Resources 

Texas A&M University. (2015). https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-09_wheel_bug.htm. Retrieved from
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-09_wheel_bug.htm
University of Florida. (2017). featured creatures. Retrieved from
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/wheel_bug.htm
University of kentucky. (n.d.). The Wheel Bug. Retrieved from
https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef426

  Photo credit and References

Gordon Brinton Jr Public Domain,
 https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11240493

Emma.hans - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
 https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62575897








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