Family Belostomatidae - Giant Water Bugs

Classification · Numbers · Size · Range · Habitat · Food · Internet References

Abedus herberti 5th instar - French Joe - Abedus herberti

Abedus herberti egg-laden male - Abedus herberti - male

Abedus herberti proboscis and stylet - Abedus herberti

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Family Belostomatidae (Giant Water Bugs)

Numbers

22 species in 3 genera in North America (nearctica.com)

Size

less than 20 mm (Abedus) up to 65 mm (Lethocerus)

Range

most of North America

Habitat

aquatic: ponds and shallow margins of lakes having submerged or emergent vegetation

Food

aquatic arthropods, snails, small fish, salamanders, frogs and toads

Internet References

images & info on the species occurring in Florida (Paul Choate, U. of Florida)

image of adult Belostoma species feeding on snail (U. of Pittsburgh)

Contributed by Beatriz Moisset on 12 March, 2005 - 2:43pm
Additional contributions by Robin McLeod
Last updated 27 March, 2005 - 6:33pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2009 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version