Wheel Bug

Description

Arilus cristatus, the Wheel Bug looks like some prehistoric dinosaur of a bug. They are about an inch long, gray and black. You can imagine them resting on the bark of a tree, perfectly camouflaged against the mottled surface. A fly lands and it creeps slowly and deliberately towards it. WHAMMO!–this predatory assassin bug pounces on it, simultaneously grabbing it with its forearms and impaling the hapless victim with its rostrum. Venom and digestive juices enter the prey, immobilizing it. The wheel bug sucks up its meal and drops the shell of its meal to the ground, creeping slowly and contentedly back into the shadows.

These have very painful bites if your hand gets too close. The can also apparently spit their venom from their beak-like rostrums.