ATLANTA — Because of all the wet weather we've had this year, people are seeing the water insect known as the “toe biter" more than usual, according to experts.
The “toe biter” -- whose real name is Belostomatidae -- is usually about 2 inches long and bites humans’ toes. The bite usually feels like a wasp sting.
"When people encounter these and get bitten by them, it's when they're in a creek or the shallows of a lake, something like that," said University of Georgia Agriculture Extension Agent Courtney Brissey. "It gets you right on the toe."
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Brissey said some people in metro Atlanta are reporting an increase in encounters.
"Their mouthparts aren't actually chewing mouthparts. It's a beak. So it's like a straw that they actually stick you with, kind of like a needle," Brissey said.
Experts said the bugs sometimes end up in swimming pools, as well.