Another 'Name That Bug' thread

These are always fun.

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/8383/sdc10376tt.jpg

So what is it? Found it at work, scurrying around on the floor. About 2" long. Very active.
Sw Washington State, but we receive product from all over the world.

And ultimately, should I kill it, or let it go?

Its a belostomatid (giant water bug) (probably Lethocerus americanus) . Put it outside in a pond - no need to kill it.

But do it cautiously - they can give a nasty bite.

On edit, I’m a bit surprised you found it inside - do you work near a water source (pond etc…)? They can fly, so it may have flown in.

Actually, I missed this. It is is is definitely in the genus Lethocerus, but its possible it is Lethocerus indicus, which is native to SE Asia. Hard to tell without actually seeing it in person.

If so, don’t put it outside - no need to introduce things unnecessarily.

It’s a toebiter!

One of the many, many things we handle is pond plants. . . And there is a massive drainage ditch not too far from the doors.

I will begin the relocation process shortly.

reads the wiki link . . .Their bite is considered one of the most painful that can be inflicted by any insect. . . :smack: That would have been an interesting
workers comp claim.

Thanks for the Info.

Missed the edit window, I will not be settting it free. With all the stuff coming from Vietnam, Malaysia, and China, there’s no way to be sure it’s native.