Wildlife Spotting

Aaron: off topic, but to respond: yes, I "know how dads can be." I am one, and a grandad as well.

I think it's sometimes one of those common name things. My dad still refers to cockroaches as "waterbugs" because they are often seen under cabinets where there might be damp pipes, or even in sinks/drains after the moisture. I've talked to him a bit about the differences between aquatic predatory bugs and terrestrial cockroaches but you know how dads can be. ;-)

Aaron: I thought this critter might be a waterbug, which I have always regarded as a type of "roach;" shows how little I know. I did a little online research to educate myself a bit, which in turn shows one is never to old to learn something; thanks.

It's definitely not a roach and is most certainly in the genus Lethocerus, as gatorfellows has suggested.

When I first looked at this spotting, it appeared quite similar to the skateboard-sized cockroaches found in Hawaii, Periplaneta americana; closer inspection and a little research suggests it's probably not. However, I believe it's a roach of some kind.

Welcome to Project Noah Maryann! I've moved this to arthropods for you.