Beetle Identification (Insect not Bandmate)

[richterjw]

<p>After this beetle flew into my back door, I had the opportunity to photograph him while he collected his wits. Problem is I don't really know anything about bugs, so I was hoping to get some help from the accumulated knowledge of my fellow PNers. Thanks in advance.</p>

<p><img src="http://www.jeremyrichterphotography.com/img/s1/v46/p231801617-3.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://www.jeremyrichterphotography.com/img/s2/v51/p311663810-3.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Photos taken with Canon Rebel T2i and Tokina AT-X 35mm f/2.8 Macro.</p>

[stemked]

It is a type of Assassin Bug called a Wheel Bug.

[richterjw]

I had thought that at first but the wheel

bugs I saw photos of had different legs

and a different head. Are there different

varieties?

[Mike Howard]

<p>It's a brown stink bug. Check that...it's a Forest Bug http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_bug</p>

 

[photomark]

<p>The back legs point strongly to a variety of Leaf-footed bug (Coreidae). I think there are a couple thousand species, so exact identification might be hard.</p>

[richterjw]

<p>Using Mark's good work, I believe I found my villain, <a href="http://www.invasive.org/browse/subthumb.cfm?sub=10395">Acanthrocephela declivis</a>, a variety of leaf-footed bug.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>All I know is that it really is a "bug" as opposed to using that term as just a synonym for insect.</p>

 

[Mike Howard]

<p>Excellent work Mark, I didn't even look at the back legs. Now I wish I still had my Big Book of Bugs.</p>

[Glenn McCreery]

<p>Check out BugGuide.net for insect identification.</p>