Giant Water Bug "Toe Biter"

I was walking back from lunch today and saw one of the biggest bugs I have ever seen in my life. Naturally I had to bring it back to my office to ask people what it was (of course I knew it would scare the daylights out of people... that's part of the fun).

Nobody seemed to know what it was. I did a quick search and found out that it is called the "Giant Water Bug" or "Toe Biter" sometimes it is even referred to as a "Water Scorpion". Apparently they can deliver one of the most painful bites of any insect. I had no idea of this when I picked it up with my bare hands.

Burt is now living in a plastic container on my desk (at least until it is time to go home). Below is some of the info I found online.

The Giant Water Bug is one of the largest insects in the U.S. and Canada. Giant water bugs are approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in length. Some species grow as long as 4 inches (10 cm). Because it often turns up under street lights and porch lights, it is also one of the most asked about insects. It is commonly mistaken for a beetle or even a cockroach. Alternate names include toe biter because they can deliver a nasty bite, and electric light bug because they are attracted to lights.

Their bite is considered one of the most painful that can be inflicted by any insect, the longer the bug is allowed to inject its saliva, the worse the resulting bite, and as the saliva liquefies muscle tissue, it can in rare instances do permanent damage. Adults cannot breathe under water, and must surface periodically for air. Occasionally when encountered by a larger predator, such as a human, they have been known to "play dead" and emit a fluid from their anus. Due to this they are assumed dead by humans and others species only to later "come alive" with painful results.