Thursday, October 29, 2009

Strange bug

Alex encountered this strange, and nasty-looking bug. Big too, over an inch, he says. Anybody know what it is?


Well, that was quick. Bill informs:
That is a Devil's Coach Horse beetle.

7 comments:

Alex said...

Yeah, I'm very curious to find out what it is. Can I expect more? Should I treat it with respect, or call in an exterminator?

FYI, California, Bay Area, found in still water.

TC [Girl] said...

Alex...why don't you contact 'Lord V's' and let him have a "gander" at 'im?! I'm almost SURE that he would LOVE to solve the mystery, if he doesn't already know what it is!!

Alex said...

Those are great pictures. If I still had the critter I'd mail him to Lord V.

Alex said...

Those are great pictures. If I still had the critter I'd mail him to Lord V.

Bill said...

That is a Devil's Coach Horse beetle:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_coach_horse_beetle

Alex said...

Thanks Bill, I just was going to tell everyone my mate Rich found this

http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Devils-Coach-Horse

online and suspected that's what I had.

I'll keep my eye open for more, he's a scary looking beast, but kinda interesting to have in the garden.

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

Bah. I've seen scarier bugs in my WindowsXP...