What Kinda Bug Is This?

[KhaosInc]

I can usually identify most commen bugs, reptiles, and other amusing things found under a rock out here, but I don't think I've seen an insect this big out here in NW Washington state.

It was flying as it hit the golf cart I was driving at work this evening then scooted across the pavement at a pretty good clip. 10 year old at heart that I am... I instinctivly caught it.

45 mins of trying to ID it, and no such luck (PS is there a good websight out there for this?)

My guess is its at least somewhat aquatic.. I had it in this container for a bit untill I gave up IDing it, and let it loose in my back yard.

Any Ideas. As I mentioned Im in NW Washington state, darn near the canadian border and not to far from the coast, and it was found about 10pm in a parking lot at work. Hard to tell from the pic, but its about 3" long

 

[GoldLenny]

Washington State Dept. Of Agriculture Entomology Dept. should be able to ID it for you.

http/agr.wa.gov has this info for contacting folks in the Entomology Dept. Ask them for their email address and send them a picture and description as far as size.

Entomology
Dr. Jim Marra, Managing Entomologist.........................360/664-0905
Randy Taylor, Japanese Beetle......................................360/586-8456
John Townsend, Gypsy Moth.........................................360/586-8454
Jenni Cena, Wood Boring Insect....................................360/586-3606
Mike Klaus, Apple Maggot Project, Yakima.................509/225-2609
Eric LaGasa, Special Projects........................................360/902-2063

This page has some more info and an email address and also has the local county agent offices link.
http/agr.wa.gov/PlantsInsects/InsectPests/default.htm

Administration
PO Box 42560
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
Phone: (360) 902-2070
Fax: (360) 902-2094
[email protected]

 

[downsouth]

It looks like a giant water beetle, did you find it in water?

 

[Dave Spencer]

I reckon it is a Water Scorpion from the Nepidae insect family.

Dave.

 

[Lateral Line]

Looks like some kind of Shield Bug.

 

[CFC]

Great diving beetle, a formidable predator in ponds and marshes.

 

[KhaosInc]

Giant water bug it is....

http/www.eduwebs.org/bugs/giant_water_bug.htm

cool looking critter.

 

[amstar15]

they call it the toe biter. Genus belostoma. the largest "true bug" in the United States. It is capable of delivering a nasty bite if mishandled. The Giant Water Bug, Lethocerus americanus, an aquatic predator that also flies quite well. It will suck the blood from anything, practically. In their natural habitat, shallow freshwater ponds and pools, Giant Water Bugs will feed on other insects and aquatic invertebrates as well as tadpoles, salamanders and small fish. He will eat feeder goldfish in captivity. Giant Water Bugs also go by the colorful common names of Electric Light Bugs since they are attracted to lights, as well as toe biter for reasons you can see.


http/www.whatsthatbug.com/toe_biter.html

the water scropion is a close relative.

 

[kewskills]

what you gonna do with it ?

 

[poopsydrew]

Crunch! *Looks at bottom of shoe *

 

[england]

id say it looked like a water scorpion aswell...from my youthfull days catching all types of critters...not quite like the water beetle we used to catch they were bettle shaped anyhow nyceee

 

[d3tained]

Hey all!!

This lookes like a Water Scorpion but its not...Its a Giant Water Beatle.

Here in South Africa you get HUGE Water Scorpions and they have a long tube at the back ( looks like a scorpion tail ) which they use to get air with..Henc the name Water Scorpion.

Have also found big Water Beatles here.

 

[mommyof2bettas]

That's a giant water bug, a.k.a. toe biter >.<
I think the scientific name is Lethocerus americanus

 

[JamesCarden]

put it in your girlfriends hair....lol

 

[PlecMama]

the golf cart I was driving at work this evening then scooted across the pavement at a pretty good clip.

Hang on a second, something's wrong....have you got a really cool job and have really impressive meetings on the golf course because you're very important - or are you the guy that drives those people around? Do tell......