Assassin Bug Part 3

[BASmith]

Thought I would give an update on my Assassin Bug.

The Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus L.

He's metamorphosed, grown more knarly looking, and even struck a pose for me.

As you can see wings have developed, his abdomen now has a large spiny hump, hence the Wheel part of the name and his thorax has curved. It is also sporting new spots. It's still The Predator of the Weed Factory.

This is the adult stage.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m139/gerbalhunter/Insects/AssassinBugPart3.jpg

[4g63photo]

Great capture. The colors on this one are excellent.

[Sugarman]

Great photo. Love the detail!

[LordV]

Wonderful shot

[dpastern]

Lovely shot of a deadly killer. One of the things that I haven't had the chance to get a shot of yet.

Dave

[johnkermit1]

Thats a great one there. Nice shot.
i have only seen an orange colored species, and as Dave says they are serious predators.
(though i have only seen one eating a beetle - with no camera in hand.)