M45b Entomology Taxidermy Oddities Curiosities Wheel Assassin Bug Glass dome

Description

M45b  #4   These guys have what looks like a saw wheel coming out of their back!  Too Cool!  Another beautiful Specimen showcased nicely in a glass dome display!  Approx. 4 x 3" with a glass dome and wood base.  Great looking piece for any collection, this WHEEL Assassin bug is big and beautiful!
Check out the big wheel on his back!
Species and fun facts-Arilus cristatus Reduviidae Hemiptera
The wheel bug (Arilus cristatus) is in the family Reduviidae (literally, "hangnail"), which consists of assassin bugs. The species is one of the largest terrestrial true bugs in North America, reaching up to 1.5 inches (38 mm) in length in their adult stage. However, males are smaller in terms of their length and width when compared to females. A characteristic structure is the wheel-shaped pronotal armor. They are predators upon soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars, Japanese beetles, the cabbage worm, orange dogs, tent caterpillars, and the Mexican bean beetle, all of which they pierce with their beak to inject salivary fluids that dissolve soft tissue. Wheel bugs are most active in daylight, though they may engage in predatory behaviors at night in areas illuminated by lights. Because most of their prey are pests, wheel bugs are considered as beneficial to the garden as ladybugs.
Wheel bugs are common in eastern North America, but are confirmed to occupy areas of Mexico and Guatemala. They are camouflaged and very shy, residing in leafy areas and hiding whenever possible. Specifically, habitats of the wheel bug include sunflowers, goldenrod, cotton, trunks of locust trees, and various fruit and tree groves. They have membranous wings, allowing for clumsy, noisy flight which can easily be mistaken for the flight of a large grasshopper. The adult is gray to brownish gray in color and black shortly after molting, but the nymphs (which do not yet have the wheel-shaped structure) have bright red or orange abdomens. It was discovered in 1763 by Carl Linnaeus and taxonified in 1831 by Carl Wilhelm Hahn. Regardless of the prevalence of the wheel bug in many habitats, the information compiled concerning the species is haphazard and incomplete.
NOTE:  If your item is in a glass dome please be aware that the domes are NOT permanently connected to the base.  Care has to be taken when opening or removing the dome so not to damage the display or specimen.
Check us out!
Please check out our other displays, they make wonderful Christmas, Birthday, Anniversary and some even Man Cave displays!
We also specialize in Antique Victorian Style displays, insects, animals as well as many other handmade wonderful and unique items and displays!
I have lots of little items for your curiosity cabinets as well!
IF YOU PURCHASE A SECOND ITEM WITH YOUR ORDER AND SEND US A MESSAGE WITH THE ORDER THAT SAYS "GIFT", WE WILL INCLUDE A GIFT WITH YOUR ORDER.  ALL ORDERS MUST HAVE 2 OR MORE DIFFERENT ITEMS (NOT ALL OF THE SAME) TO QUALIFY.  OUR WAY OF SAYING "THANK YOU" FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LOOK!
All displays will be carefully packed to the best of our ability to insure a safe and damage free arrival.
If free First class shipping is offered and chosen it does not include insurance.   If you want your item insured in case of damage in shipping please choose Priority Mail, that includes 0. worth of insurance.  If Priority mail free shipping is offered you will be covered by 0 worth of insurance.  If damage occurs in shipping, the post office now requires you to bring the package in to a postal center/office for inspection before any insurance payments will be approved and the item has to be in the original shipping box with all packing as you received still in box.  Your refund will be processed once the package has been inspected and the receipt from the post office acknowledging the inspection is forwarded to us. This is an ordeal that no one wants to go through, including us, so we do our best to make sure no one has too!
Returns are accepted, please contact us ASAP if you would like to return the item. Return shipping to be paid by buyer.  Once the item is returned a refund will be issued minus a . restocking fee on each of these items ordered. There are no refunds on shipping charges.
When purchasing this item you are agreeing to the following:
NO CLAIMS FOR SMALL BROKEN PARTS such as antennae, detached tails, leg, head, wing or broken tarsi.
This sometimes happens in shipping and are an easy fix.  With skeletons such as birds, a head or leg can easily be detached and with bats it can be a foot or a head.  When it comes to bugs, it is usually the beetle heads, especially horned beetles and Mantis are usually legs or head. These small parts are easily fixable and you should be aware that you may have to fix (glue) a part or two when purchasing items like this and we will direct you through it. We do offer videos that show you exactly how to repair these items as well. We will work with you to correct any problems that may occur as our reviews reflect. If you are not comfortable repairing an item you may return the item, return postage will be the buyers expense and a refund for the item will be refunded as soon as the item is returned less shipping cost or restocking fee if one is posted for that item.
These are all natural specimens and may have a leg or part of an antenna missing, I do my best to make sure they are very good but sometimes one gets by me, any damage is very slight and will not effect the looks of the specimen.   See my feedback for confirmation.  I rarely have a problem but even with good packaging it is impossible for us to Guarantee that specimens will arrive totally intact.
If you pay for Priority mail your items will be covered by postal insurance which will cover any damage in shipping-First class does not cover damage as it is not insured.  The post office does now require you to bring the item in for inspection to receive postal insurance payouts. Your refund/discount will be processed once the item is presented at the post office.
Returns are accepted, please contact us ASAP if you would like to return the item.