User:Ryan Thron/sandbox

The paper should maybe include a picture of what wheel bugs are, and maybe talk about the picture of that specific wheel bug as to how they developed the wheel on top of backs and give some historical significance or biological information regarding it. The first part of the essay talks about when wheel bugs are active and what there preferred diet is and talks about the certain habitats where wheel bugs are found which is good and informative. The part where you talk about the wheel bugs making the clicking sound can maybe talked about in more depth as to the different types of behaviors these bugs can possess in achieving mates and should be labeled as the behavioral significance. The part that you talk about "characteristics" of wheel bugs and discuss that the fore wings give a very fluid and mobility should be left in a different category maybe called "morphological significance". The part where you talk about the ecological significance is good however, it is a litttle to in depth and a little redundant. The section that you talk about reproduction starts out well, when you talk about where the female eggs are found. I would add how the wheel bugs mate and the types of mechanisms they use in obtaining there mates.

Being bold is important on Wikipedia

Rough Draft:

To be added to the introduction of the article:

Wheel bugs are most active in daylight, though they may engage in predatory behaviors at night in areas illuminated by lights. Males are smaller in terms of their length and width when compared to females. Also, wheel bugs are confirmed to occupy areas of Mexico and Guatemala in South America. Furthermore, the species preys on the cabbage worm, orange dog, tent caterpillar, and the Mexican bean beetle. Habitats of the wheel bug include sunflowers, goldenrod, cotton, trunks of locust trees, as well as various fruit and tree groves. Finally, turpentine oil has been documented to draw in wheel bugs . Regardless of the prevalence of the wheel bug in many habitats, the information compiled concerning the species is haphazard and incomplete.

To be added under “Characteristics:”

Wheel bugs exhibit armored forewings and membranous hind wings which allow the wheel bug to take flight. Nevertheless, with respect to mobility, wheel bugs are slow in flight and on foot. As a result of this incapacity to move swiftly, wheel bugs rely heavily upon camouflage, the effect of their punishing, segmented proboscis, or the excretion of unpleasant odors in order to evade predation. In addition, wheel bugs feature cephalization in the form of a pair of long antennae which project from the head.

Most likely to be added under a new section entitled "Behavior:"

Wheel bugs initiate predation by gripping and pinning their prey with their forelegs.

Wheel bugs are capable of disseminating auditory, clicking signals by creating friction between their proboscis and thorax. Though the purpose of this sound is speculated, it may serve as a means of communication between members of the species.

I may add this material under a new section entitled "Interactions with Humans:"

The species is generally indifferent concerning the presence and interruption of humans. Although evidence suggests that wheel bugs can be seemingly be domesticated in controlled environments , if provoked or mishandled, they may attack in an act of defense. As a cautionary warning, the bite of a wheel bug is generally considered to be of greater severity in terms of the level and duration of pain than the sting of common insects like bees. The resulting wound is documented to be extremely painful, lasting, and lingering, accompanied by an unceasing numbness which can persist for days. Furthermore, the vicinity of the injury is known to become heated and irritated. A white crust sometimes forms around the wound during the healing process, though it eventually deteriorates, leaving the small puncture wound visible. Discomfort may last a fortnight or for up to more than half of a calendar year in some cases. However, the latter timeline is frequently attributed to allergic tendencies or the recurrent infection of the original wound.

To be added under “Reproduction:”

Females lay eggs at a low elevation on trees, bushes, twigs, and other objects. Secreted glue serves as an adhesive which maintains the cluster formation of the eggs. After the nymphs hatch, the average length of each molt is roughly 18.8 days, though the 5th and final molt prior to the adult stage is the longest. Eggs generally hatch in the beginning of May and finally mature into adults by July. Overall, it takes roughly 94 days for nymphs to reach maturity. However, the phenology of this life cycle varies based upon the climate which the population occupies. For instance, communities in warm climates may not overwinter as eggs.

In a laboratory test conducted of wheel bugs in the Southern Illinois University Entomology Collection in 1997 and 1998, research revealed that the species’ eggs face the daunting threat of being infected by parasitic organisms, namely Ooencyrtus Johnsoni [1] and Anastatus Reduvii [2]. Of the 12 clusters of eggs monitored in the lab, 10 were ravaged by parasites which prevented the eggs from hatching normally.

The proboscis develops in the early molts, allowing the wheel bug to practice predatory habits in its nymphal stages. Alternatively, the distinctive wheel unique to the species derives only after the wheel bug reaches the adult stage following the final molt.

To be added under “Ecological Significance:”

Though wheel bugs are a welcome agent of pest control, they also prey on several ecologically beneficial species. For instance, they incorporate lady beetles and honey bees into their diets. To elaborate, these organisms are widely and highly regarded for their beneficial contributions to ecosystems.

Wheel Bug Consuming a Japanese Beetle

Images:

Feedback concerning the "Wheel bug" article:

Wheel Bugs Mating

Wheel Bug Consuming a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

The article seems to have very few citations considering the amount of information which it conveys. Thus, some facts appear to lack backing from reliable sources. Posting the bibliography below to the article's talk page may help to correct this flaw.

Furthermore, the article fails to mention any predatory threats which the wheel bug may face in its environment. It also neglects to point out any interactions which the organism may have with other species in its habitat which are not pertinent to a predator-prey dynamic.

In the same way, details concerning the preferred niches which the species occupies and the details of its reproductive life cycle are absent. Visual aids concerning the nymph stages of the wheel bug may be appropriate to include in future revisions.

Finally, the conservation status of the species is ignored throughout the article. Such an oversight must be corrected. At the same time, it ignores the potential dangers which the species may pose to humans.

Bibliography:

1. JOHNSON, BILL. "The Wheel Bug." Horticulture 111.2 (2014): 16. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.

2. CRISTATUS, ARILUS, and Scott Creary. "Wheel Bug." Organic Gardening 61.5 (2014): 62. Health Source - Consumer Edition. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.

3. "Assassin Bug." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2016): 1. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.

4. HALL, Maurice C. LESIONS DUE TO THE BITE OF THE WHEEL-BUG, ARILUS CRISTATUS (HEMIPTERA; REDUVIIDAE). Arch Intern Med (Chic). 1924;33(4):513-515.

5. Morrison, III, William R., Clarissa R. Mathews, and Tracy C. Leskey. "Frequency, Efficiency, And Physical Characteristics Of Predation By Generalist Predators Of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Eggs." Biological Control 97.(2016): 120-130. ScienceDirect. Web. 12 Oct. 2016. *Potential Source*

6. Hagerty, A. M., and J. E. McPherson. "Life History and Laboratory Rearing of Arilus cristatus (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) in Southern Illinois." The Florida Entomologist 2000: 58. JSTOR Journals. Web. 27 Oct. 2016.

7. Mead, F. W. "The Wheel Bug, Arilus Cristatus." Entomology Circular 143 (1974): n. pag. Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Web. 2 Nov. 2016.

8. Thomas, Bob. "Wheel Bug, Arilus Cristatus." Loyola University New Orleans. Loyola Center for Environmental Communication, 11 Nov. 2009. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.

PEER REVIEW BY ANASTASIA EDDINGTON

It would be beneficial to the reader if you added a picture of the wheel bug, just so they can visualize the animal you are writing about. I think the wound description and how it feels to recover from the bite of the wheel bug is a little to in depth and redundant to the Ecological Significance portion of the wiki articles, perhaps it would be better in a section about the wheel bug behavior since they are biting as a defense mechanism. The Reproduction section does a good job of describing what happens after the eggs are layed, but I would also like to see maybe in just a sentence how the wheel bugs mate; I don't think you mentioned that or maybe it is already in the article. This reminds me of a research paper and from what I have seen from some of the wiki articles I have read a research paper is generally not the tone of those articles; but I think you did well to include references for the things you stated, it shows that you did research and are a reliable source of information on the wheel bug. You mentioned that the wheel bugs prey on ladybugs and honey bees, but I think it is worth writing if the wheel bug is prey for any other organisms or if there are any environmental factors that affect the wheel bug. ~~~~::

PEER REVIEW BY AKASH CHANDRA

The paper should maybe include a picture of what wheel bugs are, and maybe talk about the picture of that specific wheel bug as to how they developed the wheel on top of there backs and give some historical significance or biological information regarding it. The first part of the essay talks about when wheel bugs are active and what there preferred diet is and talks about the certain habitats where wheel bugs are found which is good and informative. The part where you talk about the wheel bugs making the clicking sound can maybe talked about in more depth as to the different types of behaviors these bugs can possess in achieving mates and should be labled as the behavioral significance. The part that you talk about "characteristics" of wheel bugs and discuss that the fore wings give a very fluid and mobility should be left in a different category maybe called "morphological significance". The part where you talk about the ecological significance is good however, it is a little to in depth and a little redundant. The section that you talk about reproduction starts out well, when you talk about where the female eggs are found. I would add how the wheel bugs mate and the types of mechanisms they use to get this done in relation to behavior and sexual selection. I think that there should be a section on ecological significance and the types of factors the environment may have on these wheel bugs including humans and othere species that live in the ecosystem. The references that you state are elaborate a

Anastasia and Akash, Thank you for your helpful comments. As you both provided similar feedback in certain areas, I will address both of your comments together. Although the article in its current state already features pictures, I will investigate the prospect of adding updated ones. Thank you for your feedback concerning the depth of the portion which describes the wheel bug's bite upon humans. I will consider adding this content to a section which focuses upon the behavioral characteristics of the organism. I will also be sure to carefully contemplate and differentiate between what material should be included in what sections in the future. Specifically, I will transport the information concerning the wheel bug's use of audible mechanisms from characteristics to behavior as well. In addition, I will strive to incorporate any information which I can compile with respect to the mating habits and patterns of the species, as well as its history and taxonomy. However, to reiterate Hagerty and McPherson, the information available concerning the species is frustratingly haphazard and incomplete (59). Nevertheless, I will continue my research in hopes of garnering reliable information which I may be able to include to address these areas. Finally, with regards to the tone of my draft, I contacted Ian of the Wikipedia Education Foundation in order to receive his feedback concerning the feel of the content. Thankfully, he approved it. I wish you both the best in your research and writing!

-Ryan

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