Wheel Bug - Arilus Cristatus

I was up in the field above the house collecting some seeds from the blackberry lilies when I spotted this wheel bug sitting on one of pods of seeds. At the bottom of the photo you can see the seeds once the pod has split open, and perhaps see why they call them "blackberry lily."

Wheel bugs are fascinating - and can give you a very nasty bite. This guy kept shifting around to the backside of the pod so I couldn't get his photo. Not a very willing subject. I finally caught him though. And now I think he'll do for Tiny Tuesday!