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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    East Bay
    Posts
    23

    Default Can you identify this bug?

    I found two of these underwater at the launch area of a lake near Truckee. Big suckers, about 3" long. Anyone know what they are? (Sorry for the image quality, it was still dark)

    Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
    Posts
    23,837

    Default

    Some kind of a large predatory water beetle? 3" ?
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    O'vale Ca., Estes Park Co.
    Posts
    131

    Default

    Giant water bug. I’ve seen them in Gerle creek. Probably everywhere, AKA toe biters. Painfull according to the internet

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Neither new or improved, but now in Redmond OR
    Posts
    568

    Default

    Yup, giant water bug. Don't handle them, they can give you a serious pinch with the spikes on the two front legs. Think hellgrammite times 10. They eat other insects, small fish fry, tadpoles, small frogs and salamanders. Breathe through a snorkle from their butt.

    https://www.nps.gov/articles/giant-water-bug.htm
    Last edited by DLJeff; 06-29-2021 at 07:54 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    NorCal
    Posts
    134

    Default

    I've got them in a creek that runs through my property... picked one up once to see what it was and I can tell you that they're bite hurts!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    The OV
    Posts
    490

    Default

    We had giant water beetles back east, could do a number on a small fish tank of bluegill and bass minnows. But I don’t recall them having those nasty mandibles on the front, just a beak. That thing in the picture is a monster!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    El Sobrante
    Posts
    51

    Default

    Was that Gerle Creek in California?

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