Wednesday, November 25, 2020

One of the World's Goofiest Looking Predators - WARNING: Creepy Insect Closeup

We enjoy our nature shows and my husband has been finding all sorts to distract me from current events. Thanks, honey!

One awkward looking insect fascinates me. Called assassin bugs, this large family of ambush predators are widespread.

I did not know we had them in Ohio before discovering this critter outside our front door. Thanks to Horizon Pest Control for some interesting facts.

And below is the creepy image...

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What are you looking at, human?

Doesn't that tiny head look goofy on such a big body? And isn't its retractable piercing beak bizarre? Did you know that some species know as 'kissing bugs' spread deadly Chagas disease among humans?

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12 comments:

  1. Creepy indeed and pest control would be my first call if I found one of these around. Yikes.

    Have a fabulous day, Darla. Big hug. ♥

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    1. They're actually great at controlling garden pests, so they are welcome here - OUTside, of course. :) Hugs, back, my dear.

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  2. Kissing bug......aw no, I will pass, not kissing no bug! lol. You have been doing some interesting learning. We have our share of Box Elder bugs. Pains in everyone's backside but harmless. Although, they would cover my shed all fall into winter and leave they crap all over the place. And its not like you get one or two, they come in packs.

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    1. LOL

      So that's what those bugs are called? I see them in huge quantities but fortunately have never noticed their poop. Ugh... Be well!

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  3. As much as our yarden is set up for native birds, bees, and bugs, this character had better stay in Ohio than move up to Michigan! Eeek!

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    1. I hate to tell you but they're probably already there. ;) And these really present no harm to humans, only garden pests.

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  4. Eeek. I would not want to find that on my front porch.

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    1. They're actually pretty small, so never fear. ~grin~ In fact, I welcome these pest insect predators.

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  5. That is creepy looking. It looks like a saw on his head.

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    1. What funny is I didn't even notice that until pulling up the photo. LOL I believe that is a sort of armor.

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  6. So I looked up assassin bugs and saw that the one in your photograph might be a wheel bug? Bite is very painful.

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    1. Ooh! Fortunately, this species was tiny in comparison, though they do look about same otherwise. Thanks for the interesting information.

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