Variegated Fritillary and Wheel Bug

Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar, Euptoieta claudia and young Wheel Bug,  Arilus cristatus

The Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar can be distinguished from other fritillary caterpillars by the white-striped markings. With the exception of the Pacific Northwest, this species can be found throughout the United States into Mexico, and has been reported in the higher elevations of Argentina; however, they only overwinter in the south. They have multiple broods per year and can be found on common garden flowers such as violets, pansies, and passion vine as both larvae and adults.

One of the largest true bugs and the largest member of the assassin bugs, the Wheel Bug gets its name for the spiny ridge on the thorax. Of the four species of Arilus, only Arilus cristatus is found within the United States. Their relation to stink bugs can be discerned by the pungent scent exuded when disturbed. The wheel bug will prey on a variety of soft-bodied insects including hairy caterpillars. The saliva of this bug contains toxic enzymes that paralyze, kill, and dissolve the insides of the prey. This allows the wheel bug to drain the prey using its piercing beak.