Friday, September 17, 2021

An Ugly Bug

 


Here is a photo that I forgot I had.  I took this about three years ago when I was on a road trip in northern Arizona.  I saw a strange looking bug sitting on the bannister along a steep trail and I snapped a photo of it. From a respectable distance of course.  I wasn't about to get too close.  Just look at that eye! 👁  It looks octagonal and very large for this insect's body.  And look at those feet at the very end of those hairy legs.  It looks like it has two large toes at the end of each leg.  Its whole body is the shape of a helicopter! 🚁 I think it looks almost mechanical.

Here is the photo before I cropped it down to get just the insect.  Does anyone reading this know what kind of bug this is?  It is completely alien to me.

11 comments:

Andy said...

Nice shot. He's a strange one.

biebkriebels said...

A creature From outer space an alien!

Travel said...

That is one strange bug, great photos

William Kendall said...

I have no idea. Quite otherworldly.

RedPat said...

Creepy!! I have no idea what it is, Sharon.

Steve Reed said...

It's a type of robber fly -- I'm not sure what species live in your area. Here's a page about them:

https://thingsbiological.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/sonoran-desert-robber-flies/

Catarina said...

I have never seen a creature like that. : )

Sharon said...

Thank you Steve. You found the answer. Reading that description, it's not a very pleasant fellow.

Bill said...

What a strange looking bug. I wouldn't get close to it either. Great photos of the creature though, Sharon.

Amy said...

I've never seen anything like it but as long as it doesn't bite or sting me I wouldn't mind it.

Gemel said...

What a stunning creature. A young dragonfly perhaps?