A Wheel Bug preying upon a Japanese Beetle in Howard Co., Maryland (7/24/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Richard Orr MBP List

A Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (8/9/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Brandon Woo MBP List

A Wheel Bug with bee prey in Howard Co., Maryland (10/24/2016).

View Record Details Photo by Kevin Heffernan MBP List

An adult Wheel Bug in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/6/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Matthew Addicks MBP List

An adult Wheel Bug in Worcester Co., Maryland (8/4/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Mike Burchett MBP List

A Wheel Bug in Prince George's Co., Maryland (10/7/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Barbara Thurlow MBP List

An adult Wheel Bug (close-up) in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/27/2015).

View Record Details Photo by David Illig MBP List

A close-up of an adult Wheel Bug in Baltimore Co., Maryland (11/8/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Wendy J. Alexander, Ph.D MBP List

A Wheel Bug in Caroline Co., Maryland (8/21/2005).

View Record Details Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Wheel Bug in Frederick Co., Maryland (8/5/2012).

View Record Details Photo by Andy Wilson MBP List

Wheel Bugs in Washington Co., Maryland (10/18/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Amy Allen MBP List

A Wheel Bug in Kent Co., Maryland (9/7/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Shannon Schade MBP List

A Wheel Bug in Worcester Co., Maryland (9/22/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Scott Housten MBP List

Wheel Bug in Howard Co., Maryland (8/29/2021). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 459166 - Psn: 45)

Wheel Bug in Howard Co., Maryland (8/29/2021). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Judy Gallagher MBP List

A Wheel Bug in Carroll Co., Maryland (8/14/2021).

View Record Details Photo by Barbara Speckart MBP List

Wheel Bug in Montgomery Co., Maryland (9/14/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 658584 - Psn: 48)

Wheel Bug in Montgomery Co., Maryland (9/14/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist MBP List

Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/4/2020). (c) Wayne Longbottom, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 226087 - Psn: 55)

Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/4/2020). (c) Wayne Longbottom, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Wayne Longbottom MBP List

Wheel Bug in Harford Co., Maryland (9/4/2018). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 685973 - Psn: 55)

Wheel Bug in Harford Co., Maryland (9/4/2018). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Josh Emm MBP List

Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/6/2012). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 709305 - Psn: 66)

Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/6/2012). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Wheel Bug in Washington Co., Maryland (7/5/2016).

View Record Details Photo by Derek Hudgins MBP List

Wheel Bug in Prince George's Co., Maryland (11/14/2021). (c) spyingnaturalist, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 487036 - Psn: 88)

Wheel Bug in Prince George's Co., Maryland (11/14/2021). (c) spyingnaturalist, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by spyingnaturalist via iNaturalist MBP List

Wheel Bug in Carroll Co., Maryland (7/19/2023). (c) Adrienne van den Beemt, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 1191239 - Psn: 88)

Wheel Bug in Carroll Co., Maryland (7/19/2023). (c) Adrienne van den Beemt, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Adrienne van den Beemt MBP List

Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/27/2015). "The shield on A. cristatus's elytron looks brown to the naked eye. Throw a lot of strobe light on it and it turns to pure gold!"

View Record Details Photo by David Illig MBP List

Close-up of an adult Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel County, MD (6/28/2014).

View Record Details Photo by David Illig MBP List

A Wheel Bug in Harford Co., Maryland (8/23/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Bill Keim MBP List

A damaged Wheel Bug in Montgomery Co., Maryland (10/28/2014). Comments from the photographer: "This one has had a blowout. I’m not sure what would do this kind of damage to an insect with a reputation for a nasty bite but have read somewhere on BugGuide that male coreids can to this sort of damage to each other. I haven’t seen anything suggesting that reduviids do the same."

View Record Details Photo by Steve Scholnick MBP List

A molting Wheel Bug in Harford Co., Maryland (7/21/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Christine Yale MBP List

Wheel Bug in Calvert Co., Maryland (6/23/2021). (c) Carrie Seltzer, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 407832 - Psn: 115)

Wheel Bug in Calvert Co., Maryland (6/23/2021). (c) Carrie Seltzer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Carrie Seltzer via iNaturalist MBP List

A Wheel Bug nymph with prey in Frederick Co., Maryland (7/3/2015). Verified by John S. Ascher/BugGuide.

View Record Details Photo by Mark Etheridge MBP List

A Wheel Bug nymph in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/28/2014).

Photo by David Illig MBP List

A Wheel Bug nymph in Worcester Co., Maryland (7/26/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Scott Housten MBP List

A Wheel Bug nymph in Washington Co., Maryland (6/22/2020).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Etheridge MBP List

A Wheel Bug nymph at Great Falls, Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/4/2008).

View Record Details Photo by Ashley Bradford MBP List

A Wheel Bug nymph molting in Carroll Co., Maryland (6/30/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Anna Letaw MBP List

A Wheel Bug nymph in Worcester Co., Maryland (6/21/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Scott Housten MBP List

Wheel Bug eggs in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (11/3/2022). (c) jdshide, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 713279 - Psn: 135)

Wheel Bug eggs in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (11/3/2022). (c) jdshide, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by jdshide via iNaturalist MBP List

Wheel Bug nymphs in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/16/2017).

View Record Details Photo by Richard Crook MBP List

A Wheel Bug nymph in Worcester Co., Maryland (6/15/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Wheel Bug nymph in Dorchester Co., Maryland (6/6/2019).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Etheridge MBP List

A Wheel Bug nymph at Fort Smallwood Park, Maryland (6/2/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Nancy Magnusson MBP List

Wheel Bug eggs and nymphs in Calvert Co., Maryland (5/6/2017).

View Record Details Photo by Karyn Molines MBP List

Wheel Bugs hatching in Harford Co., Maryland (6/4/2008).

View Record Details Photo by Billy Heinbuch MBP List

Wheel Bug nymphs in Howard Co., Maryland (5/18/2019).

View Record Details Photo by Bonnie Ott MBP List

Wheel Bug in Harford Co., Maryland (5/17/2021). (c) mdhafner, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 379864 - Psn: 188)

Wheel Bug in Harford Co., Maryland (5/17/2021). (c) mdhafner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Matt Hafner MBP List

Wheel Bug eggs in Calvert Co., Maryland (3/30/2007).

View Record Details Photo by Arlene Ripley MBP List

Wheel Bug in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (10/19/2025). (c) Jared Lambert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by Jared Lambert via iNaturalist MBP List

Wheel Bug in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/12/2026). (c) bugtoucher420, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>) (Photo ID: 1507277 - Psn: 200)

Wheel Bug in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/12/2026). (c) bugtoucher420, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by bugtoucher420 via iNaturalist MBP List

Wheel Bug eggs in Calvert Co., Maryland (3/30/2007).

Photo by Arlene Ripley MBP List

Wheel Bug eggs in Calvert Co., Maryland (3/30/2007).

View Record Details Photo by Arlene Ripley MBP List

Wheel Bug eggs in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (11/3/2022). (c) jdshide, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by jdshide via iNaturalist MBP List

The cast skin of a Wheel Bug that molted to adult form in Ellicott City, Maryland (7/20/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Kurt Schwarz MBP List

A Wheel Bug with Brown Marmorated Stink Bug prey in Washington Co., Maryland (10/25/2014).

View Record Details Photo by John R. Whitaker MBP List

Map Snapshot

1,167 Records

GA AL WA FR CL MO HO BA BC HA CE PG AA CV CH SM KE QA CN TA DO WI SO WO

Description

The "wheel" on the adult's back is diagnostic. Note distinctive shape and red abdomen of nymphs.

Where To Find

Often found hunting among flowers where pollinators are active.

Relationships

Adults and nymphs prey on a wide variety of other insects.

Seasonality Summary

No filters. Click here to explore and apply filters.

Resources

View at iNaturalist Search Google Images Search MBP Facebook posts

View images at BugGuide

Citations

No citations linked for this taxon yet.

Use of media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.

A Wheel Bug preying upon a Japanese Beetle in Howard Co., Maryland (7/24/2013). View Record Details Media by Richard Orr.

A Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (8/9/2014). View Record Details Media by Brandon Woo.

A Wheel Bug with bee prey in Howard Co., Maryland (10/24/2016). View Record Details Media by Kevin Heffernan.

An adult Wheel Bug in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/6/2014). View Record Details Media by Matthew Addicks.

An adult Wheel Bug in Worcester Co., Maryland (8/4/2014). View Record Details Media by Mike Burchett.

A Wheel Bug in Prince George's Co., Maryland (10/7/2015). View Record Details Media by Barbara Thurlow.

An adult Wheel Bug (close-up) in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/27/2015). View Record Details Media by David Illig.

A close-up of an adult Wheel Bug in Baltimore Co., Maryland (11/8/2014). View Record Details Media by Wendy J. Alexander, Ph.D.

A Wheel Bug in Caroline Co., Maryland (8/21/2005). View Record Details Media by Bill Hubick.

A Wheel Bug in Frederick Co., Maryland (8/5/2012). View Record Details Media by Andy Wilson.

Wheel Bugs in Washington Co., Maryland (10/18/2013). View Record Details Media by Amy Allen.

A Wheel Bug in Kent Co., Maryland (9/7/2015). View Record Details Media by Shannon Schade.

A Wheel Bug in Worcester Co., Maryland (9/22/2014). View Record Details Media by Scott Housten.

Wheel Bug in Howard Co., Maryland (8/29/2021). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Judy Gallagher.

A Wheel Bug in Carroll Co., Maryland (8/14/2021). View Record Details Media by Barbara Speckart.

Wheel Bug in Montgomery Co., Maryland (9/14/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist.

Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/4/2020). (c) Wayne Longbottom, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Wayne Longbottom.

Wheel Bug in Harford Co., Maryland (9/4/2018). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Josh Emm.

Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/6/2012). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

Wheel Bug in Washington Co., Maryland (7/5/2016). View Record Details Media by Derek Hudgins.

Wheel Bug in Prince George's Co., Maryland (11/14/2021). (c) spyingnaturalist, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by spyingnaturalist via iNaturalist.

Wheel Bug in Carroll Co., Maryland (7/19/2023). (c) Adrienne van den Beemt, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by Adrienne van den Beemt.

Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/27/2015). "The shield on A. cristatus's elytron looks brown to the naked eye. Throw a lot of strobe light on it and it turns to pure gold!" View Record Details Media by David Illig.

Close-up of an adult Wheel Bug in Anne Arundel County, MD (6/28/2014). View Record Details Media by David Illig.

A Wheel Bug in Harford Co., Maryland (8/23/2014). View Record Details Media by Bill Keim.

A molting Wheel Bug in Harford Co., Maryland (7/21/2013). View Record Details Media by Christine Yale.

Wheel Bug in Calvert Co., Maryland (6/23/2021). (c) Carrie Seltzer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Carrie Seltzer via iNaturalist.

A Wheel Bug nymph with prey in Frederick Co., Maryland (7/3/2015). Verified by John S. Ascher/BugGuide. View Record Details Media by Mark Etheridge.

A Wheel Bug nymph in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/28/2014). Media by David Illig.

A Wheel Bug nymph in Worcester Co., Maryland (7/26/2013). View Record Details Media by Scott Housten.

A Wheel Bug nymph in Washington Co., Maryland (6/22/2020). View Record Details Media by Mark Etheridge.

A Wheel Bug nymph at Great Falls, Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/4/2008). View Record Details Media by Ashley Bradford.

A Wheel Bug nymph molting in Carroll Co., Maryland (6/30/2014). View Record Details Media by Anna Letaw.

A Wheel Bug nymph in Worcester Co., Maryland (6/21/2014). View Record Details Media by Scott Housten.

Wheel Bug eggs in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (11/3/2022). (c) jdshide, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by jdshide via iNaturalist.

Wheel Bug nymphs in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/16/2017). View Record Details Media by Richard Crook.

A Wheel Bug nymph in Worcester Co., Maryland (6/15/2013). View Record Details Media by Bill Hubick.

A Wheel Bug nymph in Dorchester Co., Maryland (6/6/2019). View Record Details Media by Mark Etheridge.

A Wheel Bug nymph at Fort Smallwood Park, Maryland (6/2/2013). View Record Details Media by Nancy Magnusson.

Wheel Bug eggs and nymphs in Calvert Co., Maryland (5/6/2017). View Record Details Media by Karyn Molines.

Wheel Bugs hatching in Harford Co., Maryland (6/4/2008). View Record Details Media by Billy Heinbuch.

Wheel Bug nymphs in Howard Co., Maryland (5/18/2019). View Record Details Media by Bonnie Ott.

Wheel Bug in Harford Co., Maryland (5/17/2021). (c) mdhafner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Matt Hafner.

Wheel Bug eggs in Calvert Co., Maryland (3/30/2007). View Record Details Media by Arlene Ripley.

Wheel Bug in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (10/19/2025). (c) Jared Lambert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by Jared Lambert via iNaturalist.

Wheel Bug in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/12/2026). (c) bugtoucher420, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by bugtoucher420 via iNaturalist.

Wheel Bug eggs in Calvert Co., Maryland (3/30/2007). Media by Arlene Ripley.

Wheel Bug eggs in Calvert Co., Maryland (3/30/2007). View Record Details Media by Arlene Ripley.

Wheel Bug eggs in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (11/3/2022). (c) jdshide, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by jdshide via iNaturalist.

The cast skin of a Wheel Bug that molted to adult form in Ellicott City, Maryland (7/20/2013). View Record Details Media by Kurt Schwarz.

A Wheel Bug with Brown Marmorated Stink Bug prey in Washington Co., Maryland (10/25/2014). View Record Details Media by John R. Whitaker.