Identified as "Giant Water Bug" or "Toe Biter" - Thanks to Chuck Entz - Lethocerus

Hmmmmm......

I came across a MONSTER of a bug on the sidewalk in downtown Calgary this morning but didn't get a picture... I've spent the last 2 hours trying to indentify it and the closest shots I've found are those of giant water bugs. The problem is that the one I saw was a sort of dusty grayish colour (it wasn't dirt, I had a close look) and it wasn't shiny at all except for those badass pincer-looking front legs. It was also about 4 inches long and 2 inches wide at its widest point. Does anyone know if this was indeed a giant water bug or what it might be??? Scarlett

… sparklinsapphire, 23 August, 2007 - 2:43pm

"dusty grayish" sounds about right

for one that was completely dried off.

… Jim McClarin, 23 August, 2007 - 4:14pm

your bug

i am from quyon quebec canada and for some reason we have a large amount of these bugs in our area. now that i know they are water bugs which i think really cool.
but i would like to know where there natural home is.
thank you.

… quyonchick, 7 November, 2006 - 7:39am

In water :-)

More specifically, these giant waterbugs, which often kill and eat large tadpoles and small fish, are likely to seek out bodies of still water populated with small fish and frogs.

… Jim McClarin, 7 November, 2006 - 6:16pm

Cool - Thanks!

ok that probably explains why I haven't seen it crawling around before :-)

… Barry Morgan, 7 November, 2006 - 11:31pm

Bad bites

I've never been bitten by one but giant waterbugs are said to deliver a very painful bite with their short stylus.

… Jim McClarin, 7 November, 2006 - 5:44am

A bug- not a beetle

It looks like a Giant Water Bug or "Toe-biter" of the Family Belostomatidae. Believe it or not, some species are much larger.

The big "jaws" or "pinchers" on the front are really the front pair of legs, which are adapted for grabbing prey.

They live in water, but the adults fly around looking for mates or for new places to lay eggs. They're often attracted to lights when they do- sometimes in large numbers.

… Chuck Entz, 7 November, 2006 - 1:33am

Thanks !

for the link and your time.

Regards,
Barry

… Barry Morgan, 7 November, 2006 - 11:32pm

Giant Waterbug

I saw a bird try to pick one up and he gave up when it kept snapping, I think his wings. I put him in a container with a small wormsnake to take to park/pond and release. The bug bit the snake which fought to escape the container. I seperated them and released both. The bug is agressive!

… Timothy, 19 November, 2006 - 8:45pm