We don’t often think of quality wildlife when Medicine Hat comes to mind. However there are some rather interesting creatures that make their homes around here.

Such critters include porcupines, dragonflies of monstrous proportions and the occasional wandering moose. The one I’m going to talk about today is a creature I came across while walking down in the Flats. In fact – I almost stepped on it, which I’m rather glad I didn’t!

It’s not the most attractive creature I’ve ever seen….

This, is a bug. Though known by a variety of names it is commonly called a Watermelon Beetle – known around here as one of the many varieties of June Bug. June bugs are beetles that fit into the scarab family and make their way into our lives around June… Hence ‘June’ Bug. 

Does it look big to you? Cause it is.

If I had stepped on it I do believe I may have been traumatized – for the entirety of my life. At about 1.5” long and 3/4” in height and width, this is one big beetle. However, its size isn’t what makes it interesting enough for me to mention. Nor are the very watermelon-y stripes that it proudly wears.

What makes this bug interesting is the hissing noise that it makes. Yes. It hisses. When threatened (or poked repeatedly by a shoe), it will let out a hiss that seems far too loud to come from a creepy crawly.

The hissing sound is made when it presses its wings against its carapace, forcing the air out! It definitely made me want to quickly walk away and leave it well enough alone.

So there you have it folks – The Watermelon Beetle. Spotted right here in Medicine Hat.