Wheel Bug-One of the Assassin Bugs

Wheel Bug-One of the Assassin Bugs · 01:25 PM

Was taking some shots of our bees with the LA Dine and K20D mounted on the tripod. Got up to grab another bee when I saw this hanging out in the shade on the back of a hive. After a few flashes and changing of angle to get other shots, it finally let me know it didn't appreciate me being there by raising it front legs up in some type of defensive posture. Had my first experience with these things and our bees last year when I'd put out some cappings (beeswax and honey left over from extracting) in a tub to let the bees clean them. A couple of wheel bugs thought it was a bee banquet--for them! Got their name from that distinctive looking part like a cogged wheel on their back. Their bite paralyzes, then they suck the life from their victims. I've been told their bite is extremely painful to humans. Have a video (4 mins.) of them with the bees last year at this link if you'd like to see them in action. Still photos don't do them justice, there's nothing like seeing them in motion.
And by the way, no, I didn't kill them then nor did I kill this one. They're fascinating insects! They gotta eat, too.
Arvin

First one cropped, second one slightly cropped, the rest just PP'd. Hand held with off camera flash.
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nupentaxian · 08-08-2008, 01:38 PM

interesting bug, never seen them before. Nice shots.

Mike.P® · 08-08-2008, 01:39 PM

Different that's for sure.
Interesting video as well.

daacon · 08-08-2008, 02:01 PM

Excellent series and the video is like watching the nature channel, I enjoyed it. It's funny the bees don't really seem to mind these creatures around. You would think after 4 or 5 or their buddies were killed they would catch on this is not a friendly visit

stevebrot · 08-08-2008, 03:06 PM

Yikes! You are right. You must see the video to truly appreciate the bugs! They are huge! Sort of feel sorry for the bees, however...

Steve

acbees · 08-09-2008, 05:43 AM

Thanks for the comments. Still working on getting crisp results with the Dine and trying to obtain some kind of consistency with a flash.
It is amazing how much the bees will tolerate when it comes to predators. All kinds of ants, wood roaches, and spiders live on top of the inner cover of the hive. Losing a few of their comrades outside the main hive doesn't seem to bother them as much as it does losing some inside. They get a little upset if I happen to smash one putting a frame back in.

One of the other videos that has a link on that same page is of a praying mantis hanging from the front entrance calmly chowing down on a bee it caught just inches below hundreds of other bees flying in and out of the front of the hive.
It is hard to watch critters get a few of our bees like that, but it's kind of a "circle of life" thing, I guess?!?
Arvin

scott-devon · 08-11-2008, 05:41 AM

Wonderful shots, I've never heard of these before. Definitely a strange and fascinating bug.

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08-08-2008, 01:38 PM	#2
nupentaxian Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 290	interesting bug, never seen them before. Nice shots.

08-08-2008, 01:39 PM	#3
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Different that's for sure. Interesting video as well.

08-08-2008, 02:01 PM	#4
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	Excellent series and the video is like watching the nature channel, I enjoyed it. It's funny the bees don't really seem to mind these creatures around. You would think after 4 or 5 or their buddies were killed they would catch on this is not a friendly visit

08-08-2008, 03:06 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Yikes! You are right. You must see the video to truly appreciate the bugs! They are huge! Sort of feel sorry for the bees, however... Steve

08-09-2008, 05:43 AM	#6
acbees Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lowder, Illinois Photos: Gallery Posts: 124 Original Poster	Thanks for the comments. Still working on getting crisp results with the Dine and trying to obtain some kind of consistency with a flash. It is amazing how much the bees will tolerate when it comes to predators. All kinds of ants, wood roaches, and spiders live on top of the inner cover of the hive. Losing a few of their comrades outside the main hive doesn't seem to bother them as much as it does losing some inside. They get a little upset if I happen to smash one putting a frame back in. One of the other videos that has a link on that same page is of a praying mantis hanging from the front entrance calmly chowing down on a bee it caught just inches below hundreds of other bees flying in and out of the front of the hive. It is hard to watch critters get a few of our bees like that, but it's kind of a "circle of life" thing, I guess?!? Arvin

08-11-2008, 05:41 AM	#7
scott-devon Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Alberta Posts: 2,140	Wonderful shots, I've never heard of these before. Definitely a strange and fascinating bug.