What is this insect? Warning: Close-up shot of big bug!!

[CityGirlintheCountry]

MY dog's or any old dog?
I can't say that I've ever actually measured my dog's foot... hmmm... off to find a tape measure...

 

[gypsy2621]

The Dobson lives in fast running streams and rivers. its awesome trout bait, They are I believe in most states in some areas they are more noticable than others.
hurts like the dickens when they latch on, favorite hiding place is just under the door latch on a vehicle.
Where I used to work was right across from a very fast moving river, every year about this time the whole side of the building would be alive with these insects.

pretty cool to look at just dont let them get ahold of you, like a parakeet you can not shake the boogers off , you have to wait for them to let go.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Quote:
Do you know how paranoid you have just made me?

I am going to check under my door handles every day now for the rest of the summer. (At least I got a warning now that it can happen...).

Where I used to work was right across from a very fast moving river, every year about this time the whole side of the building would be alive with these insects.

I would seriously cry if that happened to our house. I really, really hope that's the only one I see this summer. (We just moved into our new house, and there is a lake at the end of the street...I just know this thing came out of it!!)

pretty cool to look at just dont let them get ahold of you, like a parakeet you can not shake the boogers off , you have to wait for them to let go.

It took like three minutes to die after being liberally sprayed with super-intense bug killer. I am going to have the absolute worst nightmares this week...​

 

[PurpleChicken]

 

[FrenchHen]

I wonder if cheap hairspray would do them in? That's what we used for our bug collections in 8th grade.

They're bugly ugly for sure.

 

[shelleyd2008]

I've seen a few of those here, but never that big!! That is a freak of nature!

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Quote:
I think DH recommends the flamethrower as the weapon of choice. Of course, cheap hairspray is pretty flammable, too.

 

[ivan3]

They're not aggressive, just avoid the pincers.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Quote:
Yeah, it didn't try to attack me until I bothered it.

I am *so, so* glad I decided not to try to trap it in a jar for my colleague who teaches science. I am thanking Jesus that all my jars were way too small. I probably would have gotten bitten.

 

[ivan3]

The Chicken Lady wrote: Yeah, it didn't try to attack me until I bothered it.

This is why I don't tarry under lights in parking lots, at night, in loose fitting shirts, at this time of year (any other time for that matter).​