Bug ID

[Sparzo]

Anyone know?



Second one I have seen today. First one was dead and this one was trucking. About 1.5 inches long.

[El Viejo]

Giant Water Beetle

[denimdeerslayer]

X2

[Sparzo]

Thanks! Will it eat me or my kids? Just kidding but this thing did catch my eye from about 15 feet away. Harmful for plants?

[El Viejo]

Thanks! Will it eat me or my kids? Just kidding but this thing did catch my eye from about 15 feet away. Harmful for plants?

Nah, I'm pretty sure they're predators. Normally they're found in water where they eat small fish & other critters.

[Sparzo]

Thanks! This thing did catch my eye from about 15 feet away. Harmful for plants?

[Dannyzuber]

Dung bettle, it might eat you..

[El Viejo]

They're also scavengers, eating any dead animals they find. Not harmful to plants or people.

[Sparzo]

Sorry for the double post. I google the water bug and the shell looks different than the ones in the picture. This one is shiny. The water beetle seems duller.

[El Viejo]

You're probably getting pictures of the Giant Water Bug, a different insect. The one you found is a true beetle (hardened outer wings, etc.). The GW Bug is a true bug, with the triangle shaped part on the back between the wings. Some people confuse the two names, but yours is a beetle.

[Sparzo]

Never mind. You guys nailed it. There are 2000 species. Mine is just shiny green kind.