[Jake Dixon]

My 6 y/o found this on the North Fork CdA. I went to pick it out of her hand and it stung her. I didn’t think it was possible until I did a little more research - apparently it is akin to a wasp sting. Anyways, wanted to share - I’d never seen one before.
I think it is a horse fly larvae, but please correct me if I am mistaken.
Jake

 

[zen leecher aka bill w]

can't get a good look at it but I would think it's more diving beetle larva rather than horse fly larva. And.... it doesn't look quite right to be a diving beetle larva but they do pinch. Pictures would need to be better to confirm what it is.

 

[Jim F.]

That is what it looks like to me. Their mandibles can penetrate human skin but I'm not sure about a stinger.

https://bugguide.net/node/view/17589

 

[zen leecher aka bill w]

looks like Jim and the OP have it figured out.

 

[Jake Dixon]

Jim, that’s what I found. The descriptions of the movement were identical to what I observed also. Here is a link to the larva page -https://bugguide.net/node/view/13888.

 

[Outtahere]

Recommended duct taping your shorts while wet wading....

 

[Jake Dixon]

Recommended duct taping your shorts while wet wading....

No kidding!