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Post by kelly1998 on Dec 23, 2016 23:35:56 GMT
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Post by Paul K on Dec 24, 2016 0:45:19 GMT
Hello Kelly It looks like Lethocerus americanus-giant water bug. I am not an expert in this group though. Paul PS. That well known object ( 5 cents ) is known for us Canadians but not so known to people on other side of the world
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Post by kelly1998 on Dec 24, 2016 18:48:04 GMT
Thanks for your help Paul. I'm impressed that anyone could identify these things so fast!
I went and did some research on it and it sure is a scary bug!
I checked it's worth on ebay - only about $10-$20.
I have decided to see if I can donate it. There is the University of Windsor close by, as well as Ojibway Park Nature Center, which has bugs and animals on display, but I don't have a car and it's too far to walk.
Kelly
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Post by trehopr1 on Dec 24, 2016 19:27:04 GMT
Kelly, I only just now saw your post. It is what we entomologists call a "giant water bug" belonging to the family Belostomatidae. I am not sure if the genus name PaulK gave you is a current one as I have seen a couple of others used as well. We find these every now and again near lights which are within a proximity of some lake body. They have been called "electric light bugs" by some. They are good fliers and are adept predators in their watery realm. They can give you a nasty bite with their piercing mouthparts -- so never handle a live one ! They are known to tackle vertebrate creatures larger than themselves and win.... Oh, and by the way your example realistically is net worth only 5 bucks or less. Larger exotic ones may fetch 10-20 bucks. A nice find none the less.
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Post by kelly1998 on Dec 25, 2016 3:15:39 GMT
trehopr1,
Thanks for your reply. i think you are correct about the price. Some of the bugs for sale on ebay were in glass, which costs more.
kelly
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