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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Bugs (Heteroptera) » Toad Bugs (Gelastocoridae) » Gelastocoris

Genus Gelastocoris

Classification · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Toad Bug - Gelastocoris oculatus Toad Bug - Gelastocoris oculatus - male - female little jumoing bug - Gelastocoris oculatus Gelastocoris species - Gelastocoris Toad Bug - Gelastocoris oculatus Toad bug ? - Gelastocoris Toad Bug - Gelastocoris G. sp. - Gelastocoris
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)
Family Gelastocoridae (Toad Bugs)
Genus Gelastocoris
Numbers
Neartica lists 2 North American species: oculata (=oculatus) and rotundatus.
Size
5-10 mm
Identification
Oval, 2/3 as wide as long; flattened; sides of prothorax projecting. Bulging compund eyes at side of head. Mottled brown to yellowish brown. Legs yellowish with brownish bands. (1)
Range
U.S. and southern Canada, individual sp. more limited.
Habitat
Shores of quiet lakes, ponds and streams.
Food
smaller insects.
Life Cycle
Eggs are laid near water's edge in mud or sand, or under stones. Nymphs grow slowly if food is scarce. Adults overwinter, but few eggs hatch before early summer.(1)
Remarks
Two Nearctic species:

G. oculatus: Pronotal angles are sharp. Wide distribution, but absent in some northern areas.

G. rotundatus: Pronotal angles are rounded. Found in the southwestern United States.(2)
Print References
"National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders" p. 467-468, pl. 129.(1)
"Peterson's Field Guide to Insects" p. 114-115.(3)
"How to Know the True Bugs" p. 243.(2)
Internet References
The University of Minnesota Entomology Dept. - has a list of Hemipterans with brief info and photos, including G. occulatus.
Clemson University - also has a photo.
Arizona Hemiptera lists G. rotundatus from that state.
Works Cited
1.National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders
By Lorus and Margery Milne
2.How to Know the True Bugs
By Slater, James A., and Baranowski, Richard M.
3.A Field Guide to Insects
By Richard E. White, Donald J. Borror, Roger Tory Peterson
Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi on 17 December, 2004 - 8:55am
Additional contributions by cotinis, Stephen Cresswell, Robin McLeod
Last updated 29 May, 2006 - 7:51am

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