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For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#232066
Giant water bug with eggs - Abedus - male

Giant water bug with eggs - Abedus - Male
Millard Canyon, Los Angeles County, California, USA
July 24, 2008
Size: see below
I know this is Abedus or Belostoma because the male is carrying the eggs, but I'm not clear on what separates the two genera. I measured the egg mass at 28 mm across, but apparently didn't measure the bug himself. I guess about 4 cm.

Images of this individual: tag all
Giant water bug with eggs - Abedus - male Giant water bug with eggs - Abedus - male

Moved
Moved from Giant Water Bugs.

Abedus sp.
*

 
Thanks
Is the ID just based on range? I thought I had checked before, but I see now that Belostoma is only found in the eastern 2/3 of the US according to the guide.

 
more like size actually
Abedus tends to be larger (37 mm or less) while Belostoma is usually around an inch or smaller

Moved
Moved from True Bugs.