Nightmare fuel may possibly show up in the Commonwealth
Don't let the name Texas Toe Biter fool you because these bugs can show up anywhere in North America including Virginia. These giant water bugs measure about 1.5 inches long and live in creeks, freshwater ponds, marshes, and pools. They are fierce predators who will "latch onto their prey with their front legs before injecting them with venomous saliva, then sucking out the slurry-like mixture it creates. (Yuk-yuk-yuk)"!
Scary looking but not dangerous
Also known by the names: Indian toe-biters, electric-light bugs, alligator ticks, or alligator fleas. these insects have an oval shape and a brown body and they grab with their front legs while swimming with their hind legs. They eat other insects and small fish and don't vector blood.
They are not considered poisonous but if they bite you it will hurt. They can grow from 2 to 4 inches and are alarming at first sight. If you see one in a Virginia creek or pond just remember they don't suck blood or vector disease. The sight of this huge insect is probably what will get to you the most.
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