The insect is a wheel bug. Do not handle as they are capable of stabbing. Can't tell for sure about the 'pod ' from the angle.

yikes! I just read up on wheel bugs! It seems they are considered beneficial so I will let this one out of its prison.... The sacs are bag worms, I saw a lot of them on my friend's arborvitaes, which isn't good.
Thanks!

I'm curious....how is it stuck to the bag worm?

it had its mouthpiece (the one they pierce victims with) inserted through the narrow end of the bagworm cocoon. I am assuming it tried to feed on the catepillar (?) inside. It let go only after some vigorous shaking of the plastic container.

You have to admit.....that's pretty darned 'smart ' for an insect.

that's what I thought too :) Found a victim that couldn't escape.

Well, good! We have no shortage of bagworms this year, and we always see loads of wheelbugs late every summer and through the fall. I had no idea they feasted on bagworms -- good to know -- because I can only hand pick so many!

Well, good! We have no shortage of bagworms this year, and we always see loads of wheelbugs late every summer and through the fall. I had no idea they feasted on bagworms -- good to know -- because I can only hand pick so many!