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                    "text": "Dr. Katherine Kamminga, Assistant Professor of Integrated Pest Management",
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                    "text": "The Wheel Bug",
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                    "text": "Wheel bugs are large predatory insects in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as assassin bugs. They are beneficial predators that feed on a wide range of arthropods using piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract body fluids. Among the largest assassin bugs in North America, these insects often surprise first-time observers with their size and unusual shape. They are easily recognized by the toothed, cog-like “wheel” on the thorax (Fig. 1).",
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                    "text": "unusual shape. They are easily recognized by the toothed, cog-like “wheel” on the thorax (Fig. 1).",
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                    "text": "Fig. 1. Wheel bug adult (A. Yuknis, KSU)",
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                    "text": "Life Cycle\nEggs",
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                    "text": "Wheel bugs have one generation a year and overwinter in the egg stage. The eggs are cylindrical, barrel-shaped, and brown. They are laid in tight clusters, typically ranging from 20 to 200 eggs (Figs. 2 & 3).",
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                    "text": "and black (Fig. 4), while later instars become more brownish-black as they mature. Like adults, nymphs are predatory and feed on soft-bodied insects.",
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                    "text": "Adults",
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                    "text": "Adult wheel bugs (Fig. 1) are about 1-1.5 inches long. They are gray to brown and somewhat flattened, with long legs and a thick beak. The raised, toothed “wheel” on the thorax is unique to this species and makes them easy to identify. Adults are slow-moving predators that rely on ambush rather than pursuit. They are often seen during the summer and fall on trees and shrubs.",
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                    "text": "Nymphs",
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                    "text": "Nymphs hatch in late spring to early summer (May-",
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                    "text": "June; Fig. 3). Wheel bugs develop through five nymphal stages before becoming adults. With each molt, they increase in size, and wing pads appear during the final two instars.",
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                    "text": "Young nymphs are red\nand black (Fig. 4), while later instars become more\nbrownish-black as they mature. Like adults, nymphs are\npredatory and feed on soft-bodied insects.",
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                    "text": "Behavior",
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                    "text": "Wheel bugs are generalist predators and are considered to be beneficial insects. Although they are not aggressive toward people, they will bite if handled, and their bite is notoriously painful.",
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                    "text": "If you see a wheel bug outdoors, it’s best to leave it alone. If one needs to be moved, gently nudge it away using a long object. They usually won’t bite unless they’re picked up or squeezed.",
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                    "text": "Acknowledgement",
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                    "text": "I acknowledge the USDA Evans Allen Project #7003772 for support of this research.",
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                    "text": "Sources",
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                    "text": "Day, E., & Dellinger, T. A. (2021, September 29). Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus). Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech. Retrieved from: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/3104/3104-1585/3104-1585.html.",
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                    "text": "Stone, B. (2022, May 6). Watch Out for Wheel Bugs. Lee County Cooperative Extension, NC State Extension. Retrieved from: https://lee.ces.ncsu.edu/2022/05/watch-out-for-wheel-bugs/.",
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                    "text": "University of Kentucky Entomology. Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus). Retrieved from: https://entomology.mgcafe.ukv.edu/ef705.",
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                    "text": "Fig. 4. Wheel bug nymph (S. Ellis, Bugwood.org)",
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                    "text": "Kentucky State University is an equal opportunity provider.",
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