Nasty looking SOB: Found myself sharing the shower stall with this critter at a Mexican estancia a few years ago. It was about two inches long. Got out and retrieved one of my boots to...

Ron K. Loc: Upstate NY.

Found myself sharing the shower stall with this critter at a Mexican estancia a few years ago. It was about two inches long. Got out and retrieved one of my boots to whack the insect but it was near impossible to dispatch. Finally did it but it looked something like that one scene from James Bond where he dispatches the spider. Later I contacted a friend who is a wildlife biologist and he identified it, if anyone's interested.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Another BUG. I hate spiders and bugs. Heel of boot or 12 gauge helps with them.

Sarge

Ron K. Loc: Upstate NY.

I'm not into photgraphing bugs but I couldn't pass that one up because it was the ugliest critter I've ever seen. Whacking it with my boot a dozen times only got it mad.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

So what was it?

Is that one of it's legs in front of it?

Ron K. Loc: Upstate NY.

It had nasty looking claw legs. They didn't show too well in the hurried photo I took.
Here's what my buddy the biologist said: "That's a Giant Water Bug - Lethocerus Americanus - often called the Texas Toe Biter. A vicious predator and one to be avoided. Although they don't attack humans they will give a severe bite if ticked off!"

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

That is one nasty, ugly, yucky SOB. Like Sarge says 12gauge will work, 45 would make it interesting.

Ron K. Loc: Upstate NY.

I had a 12 gauge with me but I didn't think my host would appreciate me blowing a hole in his shower stall tiles.

tramsey Loc: Texas

We have a swimming pool in our park and I've seen lots of these critters splashing around in it. YOU can pick them up and put them on the edge and they'll just crawl away. They won't bite but they certainly have that capability.

Ron K. Loc: Upstate NY.

I'd just as soon not take that chance. They don't call them Texas Toe Biters for nothing.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Just a baby. They are extremely fast in water.

Ron K. Loc: Upstate NY.

The one I photographed was a few inches long but I understand they do get even larger.

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Ron K. wrote:

Found myself sharing the shower stall with this critter at a Mexican estancia a few years ago. It was about two inches long. Got out and retrieved one of my boots to whack the insect but it was near impossible to dispatch. Finally did it but it looked something like that one scene from James Bond where he dispatches the spider. Later I contacted a friend who is a wildlife biologist and he identified it, if anyone's interested.

Hi Ron K:... Awwww I think he's cute... Just look at those beedy eyes and those nice sharp pincers...lol... All he wanted was a taste of your toes...;-)

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

Great photo .. if it were me I'd have squished it first then thought about the camera later ... nice heads up capture.

Ron K. Loc: Upstate NY.

You have no idea how many times I whacked him with my boot but he kept on moving. Indestructible, I thought. The bug from hades.

frederdane Loc: Orlando, FL

Ron K. wrote:

Found myself sharing the shower stall with this critter at a Mexican estancia a few years ago. It was about two inches long. Got out and retrieved one of my boots to whack the insect but it was near impossible to dispatch. Finally did it but it looked something like that one scene from James Bond where he dispatches the spider. Later I contacted a friend who is a wildlife biologist and he identified it, if anyone's interested.

"...impossible to dispatch." Not a biologist, but it seems it's getting harder and harder. Insects outnumber us. If they get it together, we better watch out.