giant water bug

5983  I found my son playing with this insect in the school’s playground sandbox. It is really big, at least 3″ long. Found in Trenton, Ontario end April.  What is it and does it bite? Thanks!

This is a giant water bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Belostomatidae); likely in the genus Lethocerus. These are general predators on other aquatic life forms, primarily other arthropods, but sometimes small minnows, tadpoles, etc. as well. They can inflict a very painful ‘bite’ (more of a stab) with their powerful beak. See http://tinyurl.com/k84ft2m for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.