One of our most commonly noticed true bugs, the Wheel Bug is an assassin bug (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) with a big spiky arc on its back that looks like a half a wheel. Named assassin for their ability to dispatch insects, they can also inflict a painful bite to humans that threaten them.

adult - Harnett Co., NC 8/18/05.

adult - Durham, NC 9/26/07.

adult - Durham, NC 10/24/07.

nymph - Orange Co., NC 5/30/04.