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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Bugs (Heteroptera) » Aquatic Bugs (Nepomorpha) » Nepoidea » Giant Water Bugs (Belostomatidae) » Lethocerinae » Benacus » Eastern Toe-Biter (Benacus griseus)

Photo#278395

Copyright © 2009 Gary R. McClellan

Traffic Runner - Benacus griseus

Sarasota County, Florida, USA
May 22, 2009
Size: 2+ inches

Picked up while it was dodging traffic in a parking lot. I have lived in Sarasota for 23 years and have never seen one of these. Anyone know this bug? He is still alive. Much appreciation for feedback. gary

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Traffic Runner - Benacus griseus

Traffic Runner - Benacus griseus

Traffic Runner - Benacus griseus

Belastomatidae beak - Benacus griseus

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Contributed by Gary R. McClellan on 22 May, 2009 - 3:47pm
Last updated 10 March, 2015 - 5:48pm

Moved

Moved from Uhler's Water Bug.

… Alan Jeon, 10 March, 2015 - 5:48pm

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actually, L. uhleri (americanus not known from Fla.)

see(1)

Moved from Giant Water Bug.

… v belov, 1 February, 2010 - 7:48am

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Moved

Moved from Lethocerus.

… Tim Loh, 2 June, 2009 - 10:30pm

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L. americanus

Based on the presence of grooves on the front femora and the nonbanded legs.

… Tim Loh, 2 June, 2009 - 10:30pm

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Giant Water Bug

Belastomatidae--not to be confused with the big cockroaches that some people call "water bugs" These guys are true bugs and are aquatic. There was a time when they were called "Electric Light Bugs" because they commonly come to light. Probably how your individual wound up in the parking lot. They are also sometimes called "Toe Biters" and they can indeed pack a wallop for an unwary wader with their beak filled with painful fluids that break down their prey's tissues (which can include small fish and tadpoles.)

… Harry Zirlin, 22 May, 2009 - 3:57pm

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Giant Water Bug

Harry, Thank you for the information. I thought about the chance of getting bit when I picked it up. But,I wanted photos and had to know more. Much appreciation. gary

… Gary R. McClellan, 22 May, 2009 - 4:16pm

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Lethocerus -- very nice photos!

dunno the species, sorry

… v belov, 22 May, 2009 - 3:51pm

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Lethocerus

Thanks much for the compliment. This guy was an eye-opener all streched out scurrying across the lot. gary

… Gary R. McClellan, 22 May, 2009 - 4:23pm

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