What kind of beetle is this? - Ask Extension
Hello, My kids and I found this giant beetle that's a little over 2 inches long on the street in front of our house in Albany. We tried to identify it...
Knowledgebase
What kind of beetle is this? #863380
Asked April 04, 2024, 5:54 PM EDT
Hello, My kids and I found this giant beetle that's a little over 2 inches long on the street in front of our house in Albany. We tried to identify it, but had no luck. It looks kind of like a ponderosa borer beetle without the antennae. My kids put it in an oatmeal box with holes, and I'm reluctant to release it into the wild in case it's an invasive species. Do you guys want it? I've attached a couple pictures.
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello, that is not a beetle, but a true bug (Hemiptera) called the giant water bug. It is predaceous on aquatic creatures and can bite (it has piercing-sucking mouthparts), so handle with care. It is native, and usually is in water, but as adults they can fly. Is there a pond or creek nearby? It was probably flying between creeks or water. Cool find. Here are some websites:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethocerus_americanus
https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Giant-Water-Bug
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethocerus_americanus
https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Giant-Water-Bug