Taxonomy of wheel bug: Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Bugs (Heteroptera) » Cimicomorpha » Assassin Bugs (Reduviidae) » Harpactorinae » Harpactorini » Arilus » Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus)

Overview of Wheel Bug

The wheel bug is from the true bug family and can be seen in the United States. They're also known as assasin bugs due to their hunting abilities. Very shy, and with the capability to camouflage easily within it's environment, this bug is hardly ever seen. With the ability to sting, it's not a good idea to hold the wheel bug though when you do find it. Reports say this sting can really hurt. 

One of the largest in it's family, the wheel bug can be as big as 1-1.5 inches. With grey bodies and red antennaes, it's easy to identify the wheel bug. It get's it's name "wheel bug" due to the wheel looking shape on it's back behind it's head. They love to prey on pest such as caterpillars, beetles and etc, therefore this bug is beneficial. They're flight patten is clumsy and they sound like locust and grasshoppers when flying.