Walking up our entry steps after a hard morning of weeding yet another flower bed, a large, slow-moving insect caught my eye as it lumbered across an upper step at eye level. I gave it a closer look because, I will admit it, I like insects. Oddly enough, I think it was giving me the side-eye at the same time. The very distinctive, coglike structure on top of the thorax told me it was a wheel bug.

I have volunteered in the Plant and Pest Clinic since I became a Master Gardener Volunteer gardener. One of the perks of the job is the availability of a microscope to take a closer look at insects that come into the clinic.

I have often thought that magnified insects must be where horror flick script writers get their idea for a main character. The wheel bug deserves top billing.

Wheel bugs belong to the assassin bug family, and they are true bugs. This insect is 1.25 to 1.5 inches long and varies in color from light gray to grayish brown. Its identifying structure is half of a toothed wheel that extends upward from the thorax. Long, spindly reddish legs support its large body. Beady eyes sit at the top of its narrow head, and a three-segment beak hangs down from the head, almost like a mini-trunk.

That beak and strong front legs are the equipment that makes the wheel bug an effective predator. It is a generalist

predator, meaning it feeds on a variety of insects, many of them pests. Strong raptorial front legs grab prey.

After capture, the beak is inserted into the future meal, and a chemical-containing saliva is injected. The saliva paralyzes the prey and turns it into a drinkable liquid. Once the meal is prepared, the beak, now functioning as a straw, slurps up the goodies. The empty is discarded, and the hunt is on for another meal.

In addition to hunting for prey, wheel bugs also are on the lookout for mates this time of year. After mating, groups of cylindrical, brown eggs are laid. The eggs grow over winter, hatching in the spring. The nymphs go through five stages or instars, reaching the adult stage in late summer. The nymph has long spindly legs with a tipped-up abdomen. The abdomens sometimes may be orange.

The wheel bug is a valuable predator, also feeding on the spotted lantern fly. This insect is shy and not aggressive, but it will protect itself if handled by giving a very painful bite.

The bite has been described as worse than that of a hornet or wasp. In some cases, it may take weeks to heal.

Just remember, this is one of the good guys so look but don’t touch. More photos and details available at http://go.osu.edu/wheelbug .

Steffen is a Master Gardener Volunteer for the Ohio State University Extension in Mahoning County.