SCENES OF ROCKLAND: What kind of bug?

BY DYLAN SKRILOFF
 
This monster mystery bug with scorpion-style fangs was spotted behind the Rockland County Times office in Nanuet on Wednesday. A photo of the bug was shared to RCTโ€™s Facebook page with the query โ€œWhat kind of bug?โ€ 
 
The most popular answer was stink bug, with one reader suggesting the photo was actually a โ€œstink bug eating a cricket.โ€ The correct ID of the insect appears to be Lethocerus americanus, a giant waterbug found across North America. 
 
Lethocerus americanus has several colorful nicknames, including alligator flea, flying scorpion roach, electric light bug and toe-biter. The fangs attached to the critter are not harmless, entomologists warns. The pincers bring a very painful sting, but the good news is they are not poisonous. 

You must be logged in to post a comment Login