Family Belostomatidae - Giant Water Bugs

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

giant water bug (water beetle) - Lethocerus americanus

Bug - Bethel, Ohio - October 11, 2008 - Belostoma

My friend the Giant Water bug - Lethocerus americanus

Lethocerus americanus 5th instar - Lethocerus americanus

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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