This is one time I'm glad 
I was too "chicken". . .

Last night, as I was talking to a friend, at her car, we saw what looked, at first, to be a large spider.  After a closer look, we realized it indeed was an insect of some kind, not a spider.  I knew right away that this bug must come home with me so that the kiddos could see it.  
This is where the problem occurred; I did not have our bug jar with me.  I thought about it for a minute, wondering if I could muster up enough courage to carry him in my hands, as we were only a short walk from my house.  But, as usual, when it comes to creepy crawly things, my courage would not "kick in".  I just could not pick up the thing.  So, I thought about it a little longer and remembered that I had a bobbin case with me, in my bag... whew hew, thanks to crafting, we had a solution!!!

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Easily, I was able to capture the strange looking creature and head home to get him into the jar.  While my husband placed him in his temporary home, we noticed a strange odor.  It was slightly unpleasant but not unbearable, in any way.

Today, the kids and I got busy looking him up; we couldn't wait to find out who he was......

After we searched just a few keywords online, we quickly found our "friend".... a wheel bug.

Here he is.... you'll see why, in a minute, he is called a "Wheel bug".


The above picture doesn't quite show his unique detail, helping to clarify why he has the name he has, so I will include one I found online.


As you can see, the wheel bug has a semi-wheel shaped armor on his back, reminding me of a rotary blade.  I wonder if this armor discourages birds from eating him.

If you look closely, under his mouth, he has a large Fang-like structure.  This would be the main reason for my title.... "This is one time I am glad I was too "chicken".  After researching, we found that he uses this fang to attack his prey and to protect himself when threatened.  He will viciously stab his enemy repeatedly with the fang, injecting them with a paralyzing substance.  Although, it sounds like, for a human, it would not be too harmful, it is said that the "bite" is much more painful than a bee sting and can take a month or more to heal.
OUCH!

However, for a prey, this substance is deadly.  Apparently, the poison will eat the prey from the inside out, leaving the wheel bug to suck out the liquid... isn't that just lovely?



After reading about the wheel bug, I had to convince my son that it was safe to handle the jar.  (Smile!)
He was concerned about the holes in the jar, thinking that the bug may stick his fangs through them.  

This would be why he is holding the jar from the top and bottom; no fear of holes here.  


We said our goodbyes, opened up the jar and let our "friend" go!

As we had read, when he took off in flight, he made a humming, vibrating sound and flew quickly.  

Because of his size, we could see him for quite a while, flying in the sky.  It was quite fun for my son and I.

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I think that is what I am enjoying most about our nature studies.  We are finding ways to learn about something new together.  I love that.  

There was a time, I never would have imagined finding such interest in these bugs, but I can honestly say that I am thoroughly enjoying every moment of it.  I believe my kids are as well.  This is what it's all about. 

If you and your child would like to learn more about this interesting insect, here are some links to look up.  They include lots of helpful information and pictures.  
By the way, despite the painful bite and stinky smell, this guy is considered a "beneficial insect", as he will eat other insects that are harmful to your plants, etc...

And check out this unique detail... he has an interesting "thumbprint" sort of detail at the ends of his wings; our guy's were shimmery and metallic in color. 



*** strange name for a site that tells about bugs, but this is correct.

*** this one has some great info and clear pictures.