Subject: Water larvae
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
March 22, 2013 8:17 pm
My son and I found this bug in a vernal pool. I cannot figure out what it is, but I hope never to meet one in a dark alley at night. I have two pictures, one of the whole bug and one through a microscope that shows its formidable mandibles. We would be most grateful to know more about it.
Many thanks,
Laura
Signature: Laura B

Diving Beetle Larva

Hi Laura,
This is the larva of an Aquatic Beetle, and we believe it is the larva of a Predaceous Diving Beetle in the family Dytiscidae.  Here is a photo from BugGuide that looks very similar.  We are sorry but we do not have the necessary skills to identify this to the species level.  We remember these larvae being called Water Tigers in an old aquarium book by Innes.

Head of a Water Tiger

Daniel,
Thank you!  You are clearly the Patron Saint of creepy-crawlies and those who appreciate them!
With deepest admiration,
Laura

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Subject: Sweet smelling water bug
Location: North and South Carolina
August 2, 2012 8:21 am
There is a water bug that skims across the surface of rivers that if you can catch one and smell it’s tummy it smells sweet like strawberries. Do you know what kind of bug this is or why it smells like that? It is tear shaped with tiny legs you can only see when it is flipped over. Also, they always seem to be in groups.
Signature: curios hiker

Whirligig Beetles

Dear curios hiker,
These are Whirligig Beetles in the family Gyrinidae.  We are very intrigued by your description of their smell.  We checked BugGuide‘s family page, but there is no mention of Whirligig Beetles smelling like strawberries, however, in the genus page for Dineutus, one of four genera in the family recognized by BugGuide, we did find the statement:  “When disturbed, adults produce a defensive secretion that smells like apples.”  There is also mention that another common name is Apple Bug.  This is brand new information for us.  Even though we are quite familiar with Whirligig Beetles and collected them in our youth, we never noticed their odiferous character.  Whirligig Beetles are known for whirling about in circles on the surface of ponds, lakes, calm rivers and calm streams.  BugGuidealso notes that  they “can form rafts of immense numbers on lakes.”

Whirligig Beetle

Thank you!  This is definitely the same insect.  If you happen to come across them again I would suggest smelling their tummies.  Very carefully hold one between thumb and pointer finger and lift the underside to your nose.  Some do tend to give off a stronger scent than others.  Also, they tend to be more odoriferous he sooner you smell them after capture.  I still say they smell more like strawberries than apples.  Perhaps different versions smell different?  Thank you again for your response.  Have a great day!
curious hiker  (the misspelling was driving me crazy  lol)

We thought you were looking for curios in curio shops while hiking.

Lol, thanks for giving me more credit than I deserve.  But, no I just wasn’t paying attention to what I had typed.

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A big beetle!
Location: Sacramento CA
April 1, 2012 4:44 pm
Hi Mr. Bugman,
I love your site and have for years. Can you tell me what this 1-3/4” beetle is? My husband is holding him. We found him in the garden in March here in Sacramento Ca.
Signature: Fellow Bug Lover

Giant Black Water Beetle

Dear Fellow Bug Lover,
This is an aquatic beetle, and judging by its size, we are relatively confident it is a Diving Beetle in the family Dytiscidae which is well represented on BugGuide.  Though they are aquatic, Diving Beetles fly quite well.

Giant Black Water Beetle

Correction:  April 6, 2012
Thanks to a comment from MichaelH, we are linking to the correct species on BugGuide.  The Giant Black Water Beetle is also known as the Giant Water Scavenger.

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Wondering what this is?
Location: Bemidji, MN (Northern MN)
January 27, 2012 6:34 am
Hello,
My little 4 year old and I were trying to Google and identify this tonight. We were unsuccessfull so I’m writing to you for help. We took these pictures on 4/25/2011 at 10pm. It was outside our side door of the garage. We lived in the woods, thick with almost 40 year old red pines (planted as a tree farm, and then a couple homes were built within). Within a quarter mile is a small stream and wet land area. Hope this helps.
Signature: Thank you! Krissy H.

Predaceous Diving Beetle

Dear Krissy,
This is a Predaceous Diving Beetle, and as its name indicates, it is an aquatic insect, however, it is also capable of flight if its pond dries out, runs out of food, or it seeks a mate.  It is in the family Dytiscidae (See BugGuide) and we cannot provide you with an exact species name, but perhaps Markikavana will write in with an identification.  The predatory larvae of Predaceous Diving Beetles are sometimes called Water Tigers.

Daniel,
Thank you so much.  I really appreciate it!  I think I made a donation to your site the day you sent me this email, now I can’t find a receipt.  Can  you tell if I indeed made the donation, sometimes I sit down to do something and can finish it due to my 4 year old–he doesn’t like it when I’m on the phone or computer.
Thanks again!
Krissy Hughes

Thanks for your kind intentions Krissy.  We will copy our webmaster who keeps track of website finances to see if he can verify the donation.

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amphibious insect
Location: PEI
July 23, 2011 2:08 pm
We found this bug in a puddle, in the country, on Prince Edward Island,Canada.
Signature: Josh

weird bug came out of a puddle.
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
July 24, 2011 9:53 am
We were walking in the back fields the other day and this thing came scurrying out of a puddle. We slowed him down long enough to snap a pic. No one around here has ever seen one.
Signature: Josh

Water Tiger

Hi Josh,
Thanks for resending your identification request.  We had actually opened your email yesterday and we had plans to post your request, but somehow time got away from us and we forgot about it.  This is a Water Tiger, the larva of a Predaceous Diving Beetle in the genus Dytiscus.  You can see numerous examples on bugGuide.  Water Tigers are fierce hunters and they are capable of catching and feeding upon tadpoles and small fish.

Hi, thanks for the reply, and information. I apologize for sending it twice, i sent it from a new mobile phone and thought the first one did not go through. It’s amazing how many interesting creatures there are.
Thank you very much for your time,
Josh

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