What is this please- scary monster!?

k18sst · #1 (**permalink**) 17-09-2006, 10:28 PM

Hi

We were washing the car today and found this HUGE (well huge to me and scaaary) bug caught in the runner for the roof rail. It is about 3cm long with a dark hard shell (with tiny lighter brown specks). It has a very thick body and a yellow underside.

I've never seen a bug this big in the UK before and am wondering what it is?

Here are some pics I took, along with a 10p for size comparison. If there any bug collectors who would like this I'd be happy to mail it. It is sadly dead, but not squashed or damaged....

eucera · #2 (**permalink**) 17-09-2006, 10:33 PM

Hi

I am not a coleopterist at all, and there is bound to be someone who can come to the rescue, but I am sure this is one of the Water Beetles (Dytiscidea). I suspect any id to species level will be impossible given the slightly fuzzy photos.

Stuart

bugbotherer · #3 (**permalink**) 17-09-2006, 10:33 PM

Looks like an water beetle of some description. That body shape is what I'm going on.
Not enough to go further for me

k18sst · #4 (**permalink**) 17-09-2006, 11:23 PM

sorry my camera is broken so had to use my phone...

Do they fly? How did it get on top of the car? Do they normally live in rivers?

cherrybee · #5 (**permalink**) 17-09-2006, 11:30 PM

I have no idea but a very warm welcome to WAB

Wild-Woman · #6 (**permalink**) 18-09-2006, 04:53 AM

I'd go along wth some species of water beetle, it seems to have the paddle-like back legs. I think they fly short distances to get from one water source to another.
Welcome to the site by the way!ww

Paul mabbott · #7 (**permalink**) 18-09-2006, 06:47 AM

Yes, as everyone says - a dytiscid. They do fly some distance and often turn up in the only fresh water for kilometres. This week I have two taken up residence in a bird bath ...
[quote=Wild-Woman]I'd go along wth some species of water beetle, it seems to have the paddle-like back legs. I think they fly short distances to get from one water source to another./QUOTE]

Mr Mag00 · #8 (**permalink**) 18-09-2006, 08:20 AM

Hi and welcome, it is a water beetle of said family. The reason they end up on car roofs is due to the light reflection of the water on the roof. this happens frequently in the summer and is a well reported phenomena. They mistake it for a pond!

k18sst · #9 (**permalink**) 18-09-2006, 11:06 AM

Thanks for the welcome and the information guys.

I can't belive I've lived on this earth for 26 (almost 27 years) and never seen anything like it here in Scotland.

I'm living in a semi-rural location now so perhaps there will be lots more scary monsters for me to meet.

So far it has just been large grounds beetles and LOTS of woodlouse (in my shower

) oh yeah and some cornflies.....

I must be such a town girl hahahhaha

ned coed · #10 (**permalink**) 18-09-2006, 06:27 PM

er just to add, the way not to discover this beetle is while riding a motorcycle with an open face helmet. at 40mph it feels like you,ve been hit by a stone---ouch!!