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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 » Big-Eyed Toad Bug (Gelastocoris oculatus)

Species Gelastocoris oculatus - Big-Eyed Toad Bug

Classification · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Life Cycle · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

little jumoing bug - Gelastocoris oculatus

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

Species oculatus (Big-Eyed Toad Bug)

Explanation of Names

At Words by William Whitaker, "oculatus" translates to "having eyes".

Size

5-9 mm

Identification

Oval, 2/3 as wide as long; sides of prothorax projecting. Bulging compund eyes at side of head. Mottled brown to yellowish brown. Legs yellowish with brownish bands. (1) Only member of genus found in east. (2)

Has warty skin and hops like a toad.

Range

New England to Virginia, west to Manitoba and Oregon, south to Mexico.

Habitat

Shores of quiet lakes, ponds and streams.

Season

spring through fall

Food

Feeds on 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)

Print References

"National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders" p. 468. (1)

Slater, p. 243, fig. 494 (2)

Salsbury, p. 120--photo (3)

Brimley, p. 84, lists as occurring throughout North Carolina for "the whole season". (4)

Internet References

The University of Minnesota Entomology Dept. - has a list of Hemipterans with brief info and photos, including G. oculatus.

Clemson University - also has a photo.

live adult image (Peter Bryant, U. of California, Irvine)

live adult image of mating pair (Alex Wild, California)

live adult image (Susan Ellis, Maryland)

North Carolina State University lists only this member of the genus from that state, and it is common, with 254 pinned.

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.	Insects in Kansas By Glenn A. Salsbury and Stephan C. White

4.	Insects of North Carolina By C.S. Brimley

Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi on 17 December, 2004 - 9:03am
Additional contributions by cotinis, Robin McLeod
Last updated 12 October, 2005 - 6:00am

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