Wheel Bug (Nymph)
Scientific Name: Arilus cristatus
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Reduviidae
Size: 1 to 1.5 inches (25 - 38 mm) as adults, smaller as nymphs
Natural Habitat
Found in gardens, meadows, and woodlands across North America
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; it eats soft-bodied insects like caterpillars, beetles, and aphids by injecting them with paralyzing enzymes
Behavior Patterns
Slow-moving predator; known for its distinctive gear-shaped 'wheel' on the thorax as an adult, though nymphs lack this crest
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial for natural pest control in gardens; however, it can deliver a very painful bite to humans if handled carelessly
Identified on: 12/28/2025