The clouds were getting dark and heavy, and we were expecting a quick (and heavy) rain shower, so I ran outside to make sure the windows on the chicken house were shut. That's when we met....and I knew it had to be a photo moment *back to the house I ran*.
I've never seen such a bug before! It was nearly 2" long, and had a beak-like thing on it's narrow face. I certainly didn't want to TOUCH it, not knowing what it was... so I snapped about 40 photos, then ran back to the house to see what it might be and to escape the rain.
Turns out it's a Wheel Bug, a TRUE BUG, and a STINK BUG! This ought to REALLY creep out my sister, Melissa. She has a very strong dislike for the stink bugs that are native to the pacific northwest.
At first, I think the bug was a little threatened by the gigantic black Canon eyeball staring it down... See the red on it's hiney? That red spot is popping out of what what looks like a little trap door, and is how this particular bug releases it's "stink". I didn't notice any odor, so they must not be as pungent as the stink bugs up north.
I learned that it is known as "the assassin" insect because of how lethal it is to
its prey, using that big red "beak" to inject enzymes into things like caterpillars and basically suck their guts out! Far out! And it's a good thing I didn't touch it ... according to online sources, the bite from this bug is painful and takes a long time to heal. ...yeah, I'd believe it!! It crawled, very slowly, and not very gracefully, along the leaf stem of the sunflower.
The large saw blade-looking disk on it's back was really cool looking! I just kept thinking how prehistoric this thing looked!
After I finished reading about the bug online (yeah for Google!) and after the rain let up, I went back out to see if I could find the bug again. When I did, I slipped it into a little box (without touching it) and relocated it on the tall sunflower that's out in the garden. It will have all KINDS of good things to snack on out there! Bon Appetit, my new creepy friend!
PS: I found a video on YouTube that a fella posted that shows one of these bugs on his bee hive ... cool stuff! Check it out!
Hi Anna,
You are some photographer, wow! you take such good pics. I love all of them and oh! I have gotten 2 Grits now and I used to get them years ago but didn't know they were still around so thank you for the info...I love their articles they write. it brings back a lot of memories only it used to be like a small newspaper now in magazine form.
I love reading your blogs they are great!
Posted by: Mary Bennett | July 04, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Awesome photos and great science lesson but oh my gosh, I am with your sister on this one. I would have ran for the house and not leave until I was assured there were no more stink bugs around. You truly are brave. I can't believe you even caught the thing. I don't know who is luckier, you for not being stung or the bug for not being squished! Keep on snapping these great photos for us wimps. Happy 4th.
Posted by: Rose Kerry | July 04, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Oh yuckie! This bug is soooo creepy and I dont know how you can get that close to it without freaking! LOL.
Posted by: Debby Watkins | July 03, 2010 at 08:10 PM
Thanks for sharing the great photos of this little guy! We met one for the first time last year and I just fell in love! He's sooooo handsome! :) I love the dusty gray and the cool wheel. And thanks for the lesson. Someone, not mentioning any children by name, made off with my best insect book.
Posted by: Shala | July 03, 2010 at 02:11 PM
Wow!!! Now I know what the black with red bugs out in my landscaping are! I have seen the nymphs much more than the adults, and never knew what they were. I'm so glad you have identified them! And I HAVE met up with the grown ones too; they ARE very unique! Quite odd looking, for sure. Thank you for the GREAT pix! You are amazing.
I definitely think you should send some to your Dad; I MUST see those bugs in Epoxy! LOL He is TOO FUNNY!!! Don't you love it??!~!
Have a FABULOUS weekend! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | July 03, 2010 at 01:42 PM
Um, I have to give you credit, Anna! I have never seen a bug like this - but that's probably because at the first indication that there was any kind of bug there, I'd have been running full-speed the other direction! LOL You are amazing! NOW I know what a stink bug looks like! I'm still afraid.
It looks huge - is it something chickens would eat? or too big and too yucky?
Posted by: Sharli | July 03, 2010 at 12:59 PM
He is kinda cool lookin' in a creepy, weird way. I can handle this guy a lot better than the previous icky grasshopper picture *shudder*
Posted by: Jennifer K. | July 03, 2010 at 11:33 AM
That is a cool looking bug! Great photography.
Posted by: Bev J. | July 03, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Stunning pics Anna, but I have one word for you .......
EEEEEeeeeeWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!
Posted by: Robb_eeie | July 03, 2010 at 09:36 AM
ooohh, yuck
Posted by: Cris Z. | July 03, 2010 at 07:08 AM
Oh my gosh it so beautiful but sooooo creepy all in one. Very unusual bug.
Posted by: Connie Good | July 03, 2010 at 06:11 AM
This little guy must have thought he was on the red carpet. Now he can brag to all his friends that he's being stalked by poporatzi. LOL!
Posted by: Carla | July 03, 2010 at 06:08 AM
"...sucking their guts out" - Oh I love it when you speak so technically. A girl after my own heart. Great photos and great research! TFS.
Posted by: Gabi With An Eye | July 03, 2010 at 05:29 AM
OMG ... as much as I envy you to live in such an amazing place and have such a wonderful farm, I would not trade living up north, when I see the bugs that you have down there! I get creeped out when June bugs are in season and they are 'fairy princesses' compared to those stink bugs! They are so creepy to look at and on top of that, they stink too? ... hope they never venture further north!
Posted by: bonnie weiss | July 03, 2010 at 04:13 AM
Your dada is hysterical. That bug is amazing..I have never seen one in Vancouver. Love how prehistoric he is.
can I ask what lens you used? i am thinking in the 105mm range? I need a new lens..
Posted by: Sue | July 03, 2010 at 12:04 AM
OK, I had to cringe and then giggle... I grew up in Pendleton Oregon and when my parents would go to Square Dance (yes, I'm serious) up at the Airport all the kids would get sticks and go stink bug hunting... it was HILARIOUS to poke them (yes SOFTLY) to watch their butts go up in the air ready to squirt us with stinky stuff!!!!
LOL Thanks for the memories Anna... must say though, I would NEVER have poked THAT stink bug, well, not SOFTLY anyway... it looks like something from the dinosaur days..... **EEK**
Posted by: KelliJo | July 02, 2010 at 09:27 PM
Cool! I can see it now, You send a box of these bugs home (dead)and we box'em up and give the buggers to "M" for Christmas! Yup, a stink bug 5 times the size of the ones we have up here. FAR OUT! How about bringing some home with you in August, and I'll sink'em in epoxy and make hair pins or broaches out of them. I particularly like the phrase " and suck their guts out!" Yah, Baby!.......Love, Dad
Posted by: DK Wight | July 02, 2010 at 08:24 PM
aaaa that's ugly
Posted by: ~liz | July 02, 2010 at 07:15 PM
YEAH for Brave Anna! Good to have him helping out around the farm ! He could have helped rid the squash beetles, but you would not want to be running it him unexpectedly. :) Thanks for the science/biology lesson, too. Hugs...
Posted by: Carol Dee | July 02, 2010 at 06:59 PM
one more reason i'm so glad i don't live there any more =D
Posted by: bad fairie | July 02, 2010 at 06:34 PM