very strange beetle

[chef]

my sister-in-law found a beetle/roach crawling on her car the other day. it is about 2" long and 1 1/2" wide. it is very skinny top to bottom and has a soft shell it is all black with six legs 4 in back and two in the very front along the mouth. anyone have any ideas?

[Shotgun]

Your insect is likely a giant water bug (Family Belostomatidae). It's not a beetle but a member of the Order Hemiptera, a bug. Interesting, eh? Big enough to eat. :D

[chef]

with lots of garlic butter and a few grubs on the side! this thing was huge it would have been tree bites at least! thanks for the reply.

[$Big Pimpin$]

I always used to find them and shoot them with my bb gun, I always thought they were cock roaches but i was never really sure. Now I know what they are.