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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Bugs (Heteroptera) » Giant Water Bugs (Belostomatidae)

Family Belostomatidae - Giant Water Bugs

Classification · Numbers · Size · Range · Habitat · Food · Internet References
Very Large Bug Found in Spagnum Bog, West Virginia - Belostoma freaky beetleroach thing What is this thing? - Lethocerus americanus Lethocerus americanus - Giant Water Bug - Front View - Lethocerus americanus Eastern toe biter, deceased, head shot front - Lethocerus griseus Giant Water Bug - Belostoma Big Bug Toe Biter - Lethocerus
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

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