Giant water bugs are fascinating insects belonging to the family Belostomatidae. They are large, predatory aquatic insects known for their formidable hunting skills and impressive size, with some South American species reaching up to 4 inches in length.
These intriguing bugs thrive in freshwater ponds, marshes, and slow-moving pools in streams found worldwide. Typically, you can find them hiding in mats of vegetation just under the surface of the water. Their habitat provides them with the perfect conditions to ambush a surprising variety of aquatic life such as tadpoles, small fishes, insects, and other arthropods. So, if you happen to come across a quiet, shallow water body filled with plenty of vegetation, chances are you might just spot a giant water bug lurking beneath the surface.
Anatomy of Giant Water Bugs
General Characteristics
Giant water bugs belong to the family Belostomatidae and are one of the largest true bugs in the insect order Hemiptera. They can grow up to 4 inches in length and have a flat, oval, dark brown body. Their powerful raptorial front legs are designed to capture prey, while their flattened rear legs have tiny hairs (cilia) that help them swim through water.
Mouth and Feeding
These mighty insects possess piercing-sucking mouthparts, which include a sharp beak they use to inject venomous saliva and enzymes into their prey. This digestive cocktail liquefies the insides of their victims so they can easily suck out nutrients. Giant water bugs prey on various animals such as fish, frogs, and even small snakes.
Respiratory System
Giant water bugs are aquatic insects with a specialized respiratory system. They breathe through their two abdominal appendages that act as breathing tubes, allowing them to extract oxygen from the water. When they need to replenish their oxygen supply, they extend these appendages above the water’s surface.
Reproductive System
Female giant water bugs lay eggs on vegetation just above water level, and males will then guard the eggs until they hatch. This unique method of reproduction is known as paternal care and reflects the strong parental instincts of these insects.
Pain and Prevention
Giant water bugs can deliver a painful bite, causing swelling and discomfort. The bite can become more painful if not cleaned and treated promptly. To avoid confrontation, it’s best to steer clear of these insects in their natural habitat, especially in shallow, slow-moving waters with abundant vegetation.
Other Names
These bugs are also known by various common names such as toe-biter, electric light bug, and alligator ticks.
Notable Species
Some notable species within the Belostomatidae family include Lethocerus americanus, Lethocerus indicus, Lethocerus sp, Lethocerus uhleri, Abedus, and Benacus.
Defenses and Predators
Giant water bugs are fierce predators that rely on their powerful front legs, painful bite, and venomous saliva as defense mechanisms. However, they also face threats from predators such as larger aquatic animals and birds. To avoid detection, they often remain hidden among vegetation, and their dark brown color provides excellent camouflage.
Geographical Locations
North America
In North America, giant water bugs can be found in various aquatic habitats such as ponds, ditches, and slow-moving streams. They are most commonly found in the following regions:
- Eastern and Central United States
- Mexico
- Canada
These hefty insects are quite large, reaching up to 2-3 inches in length.
Asia
Giant water bugs are not only native to North America, but can also be found in Asia. Some species of the giant water bug can reach up to 4 inches in length in South American regions. In Asian countries, they tend to inhabit paddy fields, shallow lakes, and ponds. These creatures are often found in:
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- Vietnam
- China
- Japan
In some Asian countries, giant water bugs are considered a delicacy and are consumed by locals.
Africa
Giant water bugs can also be found in various African countries, such as:
- South Africa
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
These aquatic insects inhabit a range of different aquatic ecosystems on the continent, including ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They play an essential role in the African food chain, as they help control populations of other insects and small aquatic creatures.
In summary, giant water bugs live in a wide range of geographical locations, including North America, Asia, and Africa. They inhabit various aquatic environments, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of local ecosystems.
Habitats
Freshwater Environments
In your search for giant water bugs, you’ll find them in various freshwater habitats. They are primarily found in ponds, streams, and lakes. These aquatic insects prefer locations that have calm or slow-moving water, as it allows them to easily catch their prey. Examples of ideal freshwater habitats include:
- Freshwater ponds
- Slow-moving streams
- Shallow lakes
In these environments, giant water bugs hide in the vegetation near the water surface. They mainly feed on aquatic life such as tadpoles, small fishes, insects, and other arthropods.
Wetlands
Another common habitat for giant water bugs is marshes and other wetlands. These areas, like the freshwater environments mentioned above, provide an ideal setting for giant water bugs to thrive. Factors that make wetlands perfect for these bugs include:
- Abundant vegetation for hiding
- Ample prey availability
- Shallow water
As a result, you can frequently spot giant water bugs in marshy regions or wetlands around the world. Keep an eye out for these fascinating creatures, and you may just find them in their natural habitats.
Diet
Aquatic Prey
Giant water bugs are known for their diverse diet, which primarily consists of aquatic insects and other invertebrates. For example, they often prey on tadpoles and small fish, capturing them with their powerful, clawlike forelegs. As an aquatic insect, they rely on their strong hind legs to swim and hunt in freshwater ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams1.
Crustaceans
In addition to aquatic prey, giant water bugs also feed on a variety of crustaceans. They are capable hunters, using their raptorial legs to catch and consume crayfish, among other crustaceans2. These legs are well-adapted to hold and manipulate prey as the giant water bug feeds.
Additional Prey
Their diet is not limited to aquatic insects and crustaceans. Giant water bugs are opportunistic feeders, expanding their menu to include other animals such as frogs, snakes, and even small turtles3. They also prey on mosquito larvae, beetles, and snails, contributing to the control of some pest populations.
In conclusion, the giant water bug’s diet is fairly diverse, primarily preying on aquatic insects and crustaceans, but also including various other animals. Its adaptability and strong hunting abilities make it a significant predator in its habitat.
Behavior
Attraction to Light
Giant water bugs, also known as electric-light bugs, are often attracted to lights. They are commonly found around porch lights and other bright lights in outdoor spaces. This behavior can lead to encounters with humans in residential areas. Remember:
- They are drawn to bright lights, like porch lights.
- Electric-light bugs may venture into residential areas.
Swimming and Mobility
These aquatic insects are excellent swimmers. They use their strong legs to move through the water and grasp prey. Most of their time is spent hidden in mats of vegetation, just under the water’s surface. Thus, they are well-adapted for their underwater habitat. Key features include:
- Strong legs for swimming and grasping prey.
- Ability to hide in underwater vegetation.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of giant water bugs consists of several stages. Adult females lay eggs above the water’s surface on plants. Once the eggs hatch, nymphs emerge and begin to grow, molting several times as they develop into adults. Some interesting facts about their life cycle:
- Eggs are laid above water on plants.
- Nymphs undergo multiple molts before reaching adulthood.
In summary, giant water bugs are fascinating creatures with unique behaviors. They’re drawn to bright lights, efficient swimmers, and have an interesting life cycle involving nymphs and molting. While encounters with humans can occur, understanding their behavior can help you coexist with these captivating insects.
Role in Ecosystem
Giant water bugs play a significant role in their ecosystem. They are predatory insects and help maintain the balance of other aquatic species.
You might find giant water bugs in various freshwater habitats, such as ponds and ditches, where they can suspend below the surface. Due to their size and adaptability, they prey on a wide range of aquatic creatures, such as insects, tadpoles, and even small fish. Their clawlike forelegs are perfect for grabbing their prey.
As a part of their reproductive cycle, female giant water bugs lay eggs on aquatic plants or sometimes even on the backs of the males. This behavior ensures the next generation’s survival and introduces more predatory insects to keep their environment in balance.
Here are some key features of giant water bugs:
- Predatory aquatic insects
- Occupy various freshwater habitats
- Prey on insects, tadpoles, and small fish
- Lay eggs on aquatic plants or males’ backs
Remember that it’s essential to respect and preserve these creatures’ habitats, as they contribute positively to the ecosystem by regulating aquatic populations and ensuring a balanced environment.
Cultural Significance
Cuisine
Giant water bugs, belonging to the family Belostomatidae, have some interesting cultural significance, particularly in the realm of cuisine. These large insects can be found in various dishes in various countries, offering unique flavors and textures to adventurous eaters.
For example, in some regions of Southeast Asia, giant water bugs are considered a delicacy. They are used as ingredients in spicy salads, added to sauces for a distinct aroma, or even consumed whole after being deep-fried. If you’re feeling curious, you may want to try these dishes yourself and explore their unique taste profiles.
However, it’s vital to approach the consumption of giant water bugs with caution, as improper handling or cooking can lead to unpleasant experiences. It’s always best to approach new ingredients like these under the guidance of experienced chefs or locals who are familiar with their preparation.
In conclusion, the cultural significance of giant water bugs, especially in the area of cuisine, demonstrates how diverse and fascinating the world of insects can be. Whether you’re a gastronome looking for a unique culinary experience or simply interested in learning about different cultures, there’s certainly something to appreciate when it comes to these unusual aquatic insects.
Footnotes
95 Comments. Leave new
Parasitic mites on aquatic Hemiptera are primarily in the genus Hydrachna (family Hydrachnidae). They’re unusual in remaining on the insect host while they pass their quiescent protonymphal stage. The active, predatory deutonymph emerges from the old skin, which is left on the insect. – Barry
I remember reading about these on a Thai food blog. They are pounded into a paste and used to flavor certain chili pastes.
http://www.khiewchanta.com/archives/ingredients/meats-fish-eggs/mangda.html
Oh, pounded into a paste – I thought they seemed awfully crunchy!
Hello,
We are the educational publisher in Korea and going to publish Science book for children.
We were looking for the photograph for ’Toe Biter’ and found absolutely beautiful one from your site.
Toe-Biter from Iraq
Posted by danielj April 11th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Categories
Toe Biters and other Aquatic True Bugs
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2008/04/11/toe-biter-from-iraq-2/#translate-en
Would you give us the generous consent to use this photo?
Longing for the good answer from you.
Thank you and best wishes,
Judy JANG
Manager
Foreign Rights & Contracts Department
DCTY Co., Ltd.
943-1, DoGok-Dong, GangNam-Gu
Seoul, 135-270, KOREA
Phone: 82-2-529-7878 (Extension 215)
Fax: 82-2-572-0085
http://www.dctybooks.com
judybawdon@hotmail.com
judy@dcty.co.kr
Signature:
DCTY
Thank you for your interest in our website Judy. The photographer always owns the image copyright, but we reserve the right to post people’s submitted letters and photographs online and to publish them in What’s That Bug? authorized publications. We occasionally get requests for the use of imagery for nonprofit use or for educational purposes, and since one of our main missions is to educate the public, we generally give permission to reproduce imagery in those situations. You have our permission to reproduce this image in your educational book for children. Please credit What’s That Bug? and Jerrad the photographer since that is how he signed his letter.
Dear Bugman,
Thank you very much for the permission.
I will promise to include the credit for What’s That Bug? and Jerrad and send you couple of published books.
Thank you and best wishes,
Judy JANG
Manager
Foreign Rights & Contracts Department
DCTY Co., Ltd.
943-1, DoGok-Dong, GangNam-Gu
Seoul, 135-270, KOREA
Phone: 82-2-529-7878 (Extension 215)
Fax: 82-2-572-0085
http://www.dctybooks.com
judybawdon@hotmail.com
judy@dcty.co.kr
Wow!
If not already identified by someone, this is a species of giant water bug called Lethocerus….mostly L. indicus
A community member brought in a 6.5 cm long brown bug today, asking if I might be able to identify it. A world-wide traveler, he thought it might be some kind of cockroach, which also was my first impression. It doesn’t have antennae, however, and it does have very “beefy” front legs. A search with my students, however, revealed that it just didn’t quite match up. We did, however, discover that this bug is a ringer for the Giant Water Bug of Arizona. We are located in Darrington, Washington, which is a long way from Arizona, although there are quite a few people who are “snowbirds” that spend winters there and usually start coming home to Darrington about Eastertime. Do these kinds of insects occur in Washington naturally, or is it likely to have hitched a ride here? What is the danger of it becoming an invasive species?
The Giant Water Bug is native to your area. See BugGuide: http://bugguide.net/node/view/13708/data
I found one of these in Western Massachusetts tonight! Are they native to this area as well?
Yes. They are found throughout North America, with different species in different locales. Actually, Giant Water Bugs are found throughout the world.
Dear George, Dear Bugman,
I am very much interested in giant water bugs (Lethocerus sp.) and their distribution and ecology worldwide. I was quite stunned that they actually do occur in Southern Europe. From my knowledge this European species is Lethocerus patruelis and it can get very big. Could you tell me the body length of this Greek water bug (in mm), and how big was the biggest one that you have seen in Greece or elsewhere in Europe? Thanks for any info 🙂 !
Dear George, Dear Bugman,
I am very much interested in giant water bugs (Lethocerus sp.) and their distribution and ecology worldwide. I was quite stunned that they actually do occur in Southern Europe. From my knowledge this European species is Lethocerus patruelis and it can get very big. Could you tell me the body length of this Greek water bug (in mm), and how big was the biggest one that you have seen in Greece or elsewhere in Europe? Thanks for any info 🙂 !
Hi Daniel,
We don’t know if George will know that you have posted a comment to his submission. This isn’t too old of a posting. We might be able to track down George’s email address and notify him that you have a question regarding his submission.
My dogs found one of these tonight in our yard, we are in Benson, AZ. It was huge and creepy. Thanks to your website I now know what it is!!
I have seen a bug similar to this called “Water Scorpion”. We used to see them throughout the warm months. These were in central Alabama.
Water Scorpions are slimmer than Toe-Biters, but they do look similar.
Just found one on my balcony this evening. I had never seen one before and thankfully wasn’t hard to identify after a quick google search. The one I found was about 2.5″ long. Kefalonia, Greece.
toe biters have been said to infect your muscles…. the sting only lasts for a while but the deteriorating muscle does not
Please provide us with the link where you learned this information.
besides i caught one today and have it as a pet…. so i researched it….
This reminds me quite a bit of a Belostomatid, but it looks like a somewhat stretched picture. If you vertically compress the picture a little bit, it’s easier to see. Then again, it could be something completely different! I look forward to hearing what Mr Eaton says. The true bugs are my favorite group to work with, there’s always surprises.
We found one of these in our parking lot in Minnesota… I guess this Aussie is on quite a walk about. I tried to post a picture but I am not able too.
There are North American species of Toe-Biters.
A coworker found one tonight on the football field in Tucson, AZ and by searching for the description I came across this picture, which is the spitting image of the one he found. I’ve grown up here and I have never seen one of these! Thanks to your helpful site I was able to help identify it for him (and all the other curious people on Facebook who saw the picture of it!)
You are most welcome.
Saw one of these dead on the sidewalk near Loyola University today! Have never seen one before in my life.
So they are in South America now too!
Giant Water Bugs in the family Belostomatidae have been reported to us from all continents except Europe, though we suspect they can be found there as well. This Sci-News article provides information on European species.
Giant water bug
We are in San Antonio, Texas. We found this huge bug in our backyard. We think it is a Giant Water Bug like the ones pictured from South Africa. We’ve never seen this large an insect except in the zoo. It flew and we ran screaming. We put it in a jar and took pictures of it then we set it free in the back part of our yard and then wished we hadn’t but killing it would have been like murder it was so big.
Giant Water Bugs are found throughout the world, including Texas.
I live in Nebraska. While working one of these huge bugs came out of nowhere and dive bombed my coworker and myself while on our smoke break. Biggest insect I’ve ever seen. Insane!
Found one crawling across my foot at night outside my back door. Live in the woods with no real ponds etc nearby, just a few small fresh water springs.
First time I have ever seen one, ever.
Found one crawling across my foot at night outside my back door. Live in the woods with no real ponds etc nearby, just a few small fresh water springs.
First time I have ever seen one, ever.
Hate them. Used to get them in the garden after rain when I lived in Nigeria. They raised up on their front legs and made a noise. They don’t run away either. They will chase you. Yuck.
Hi! today the 18 Oct 2015 , in Laval , Montreal , Quebec, Canada ,
I found a toe biter in your in-ground pool, I grab it whit a fishnet and after identifying it on the web, I put it back in the pool. My question to you is ? what should I do with it , the pool will frees up soon!. last night the temperature dropped to -3 .C ..
Hi! today the 18 Oct 2015 , in Laval , Montreal , Quebec, Canada ,
I found a toe biter in your in-ground pool, I grab it whit a fishnet and after identifying it on the web, I put it back in the pool. My question to you is ? what should I do with it , the pool will frees up soon!. last night the temperature dropped to -3 .C ..
If the pools does not freeze solid, the Toe-Biter should survive until the spring thaw. They are also capable of flying and they will flee the location if it becomes inhospitable.
Thank you for your reply , Is this insect a treat our a good thing, I haven’t seen another one its seems to be alone,
I will respect nature but not if it threaten my house pet.. Can you tell me more about the toe biter… Thanks ..
Thank you for your reply , Is this insect a treat our a good thing, I haven’t seen another one its seems to be alone,
I will respect nature but not if it threaten my house pet.. Can you tell me more about the toe biter… Thanks ..
“of some sort.” Cute.
If you spent time wading in ponds as a child in North America you likely were bit (or missed) by one of these.
Thanks for providing actual first hand experience regarding the common name of Toe-Biter.
Hate these beasts.
I remember saving one of these guys from our parking lot at work. I had no idea that they could fly and he was far from any water. I took him home overnight to research who he was and where best to release him.
They are formidable insects and I was very glad to see him on his way when I released him at a stream close to work the following morning. He was looking at me and rubbing his belly the entire drive. He was very impressive and more than a bit intimidating.
I remember saving one of these guys from our parking lot at work. I had no idea that they could fly and he was far from any water. I took him home overnight to research who he was and where best to release him.
They are formidable insects and I was very glad to see him on his way when I released him at a stream close to work the following morning. He was looking at me and rubbing his belly the entire drive. He was very impressive and more than a bit intimidating.
Dear sir,
How to know and easy way to find out, water gaint bug and where the common places these type of inset found.
What precaution we shold be take , if some one infected of virus how can protect them or what medical advise should we give.
Dear sir,
How to know and easy way to find out, water gaint bug and where the common places these type of inset found.
What precaution we shold be take , if some one infected of virus how can protect them or what medical advise should we give.
Unnecessary carnage? What a retarded thing to say; what the f^#k is unnecessary about pulverizing a bug that just stung the shit out of you when you don’t even know if it was poisonous or not? The bug certainly didn’t think its carnage upon the baby was “unnecessary” so he deserved to get smashed. It’s all about survival so if a human encounters something that is trespassing then it is going to get smashed. And you wonder why alot of people think animal lovers are sick in the head, it’s because you dorks put animals over human beings.
Mind your cussing tongue. Many children use our site, so we are censoring your comment.
Yup we should put our ecosystem first. You wouldn’t exist without it. If you actually read the entire article you would see where they said they understood why the bug was killed. In most cases its unnessary to kill bugs because most of you do out of fear. So chill out
I could not have said it better! When I read that…. I was like what the $&@/?! It bit her child! Call me a Mama Bear, but that is grounds for immediate extermination. One of these jokers latched on to my Maltese’s paw (ironic I am now learning it is a “toe-biter” how original!) we were at a dog park that had a little drainage issue where there was about an inch deep long puddle covered in grass. My husband and I both tried to pull this blood sucker off, all the while the dog was crying out and flipping out (he weighs 7 lbs soaking wet). Eventually, my husband went to his truck and pulled out some hedge clippers and quickly chopped its head off!!! Well deserved! He DID drop his meal then! Bastard!! I am an animal lover but you gotta draw the line somewhere! #ManUpAgainstTheBloodSuckers
I fully agree and plus it would be our first instinct to try and kill it if it bit you unexpectedly, not pick it up and see if it’s friendly, the thing just stung you so it gets what it gets, so it is.
So knowing about Toe-Biters will reduce “unnecessary carnage”? Even if the person who smashes the Toe-Biter that bit them knows or doesn’t know about Toe-Biters still wouldn’t be committing unnecessary carnage lol.
There are also found in a village called Koufalia in Central Macedonia, Greece. I have encountered many of them and have taken a lots of pictures….
PARENTS: If your child is bitten by an insect, it is wiser to take them straight to the doctor/hospital than to hit the Internet with questions, should anaphylaxis occur. Local medical professionals may have dealt with it before….RE: “UNDUE CARNAGE” – It IS undue, as in unnecessary, unless a specimen is necessary for identification purposes. All creatures use defense mechanisms when threatened. There is no gain in killing them… Think of it like this: If somebody approached from behind and accidentally frightened you and you reacted instinctively, punched them in the stomach, would they be justified in punishing you with criminal prosecution? Nope. – “Carnage” may be a strong word but the message is clear. It is FACT that killing them is unnecessary.
You’re a moron. And you’re comparing apples to oranges……
For some reason, I’ve always been interested in aquatic creatures. Maybe I was one in a past life lol. Anyways, I saw these things floating in my pool before I jumped in and decided I should probably see what type of insect it is to be safe, so thank you all for the information!
The giant water bug is venomus. It’s ranked at the worst pain inflicted by a insect. Alot of miss information is in the reply. You must of never lived around these bugs or swam in a river with them. These bugs are very aggressive and they use their powerful pinchers to pull you in and inject its fang full of digestive fluid in ya. When u are walking bare foot or swimming with in eye shot of them they strike and they strike hard. After you are hit once you never make the mistake of not wearing shows while playing in the creek. While very painful and high risk of infection you can skip seeing a doctor but watch out for infection. I am a rn nurse at a emergency room and I see hundreds of these every summer.
I was bit today while in my room and now I have a very painful swollen toe, did not have time to research to make sure it wasn’t dangerous, so I killed it.
You did good Nancy, you did good.
Not related, but in Brazil the common name is “barata-d’água”, and it means “water cockroach”.
just found one of these in port Hedland WA Australia. we are in the wet season and there are numerous flooded areas at work where I found it. I named him todd.
I live in Bedfordshire and I found a toe biting giant water bug besides my house! Had to google it as never seen one before. Do I need to get rid of it?
Hi I found a giant water bug in Alberton about 600 km from Durban , in my work shop and alive.Is this possible ?? And I have photo of the bug
Since you have proof, we need to confirm it is possible. You can submit images by using the Ask What’s That Bug? link on our site.
A painful bite indeed.
Not bullet ant pain. Probably a 3 on the schmidt index. Worse though is it won’t be an envenomation. It will inject via a large proboscis a healthy dose of tissue liquifying enzymes. It could take a loooong time to heal.
I would rather be stung by any ant or wasp.
Thanks for that perspective.
A painful bite indeed.
Not bullet ant pain. Probably a 3 on the schmidt index. Worse though is it won’t be an envenomation. It will inject via a large proboscis a healthy dose of tissue liquifying enzymes. It could take a loooong time to heal.
I would rather be stung by any ant or wasp.
How can you get rid of these bugs if you have a pond?
We do not provide extermination advice.
Eat what you kill or don’t kill it 🙂
Side note: our family practices ‘eat what you kill’ and we went to Texas for a hunt and I got an armadillo… the claim owner was pretty rude but didn’t mention anything. I was so proud, I cooked it up and ate it and when the claim owner saw he slapped my on the back and said – y’all know I thought you just shot that for fun… I responded God no, we just needed something for dinner and we hadn’t gotten a javelina or deer all day. After dinner he told me they consider them cockroaches or coons (destructive little Bs). I let him know I wouldn’t eat either a raccoon or cockroach but grasshoppers and now ‘dillers I enjoy. I think if more people practiced that they’d at least think twice before taking a life. : ]
One of these just ran by my foot in my bathroom. He’s currently trapped under a cup by the toilet. Must admit, I screamed like a little girl when I saw it! I live in NW Phoenix area.
I recently returned from Ouranoupoli, Athos, Chalkidiki, and found one on the border beach of Mount Athos (the monastery state). It was about 10-11 cm long and struggling on it’s back, covered in sand, trying to get away from the sea waves. I cleaned it with some sweet water and when it was dry again it flew away. If you are interested I can send photo’s and movies.
for : Dr Stam Zorgaris; Stam blog of 2018 asked if anyone had seen these giant water bugs in Greece.
Yes: May 2019 in Corfu – west side – on the beach between the sea and lake Korission.
Alas no camera with me, I had never seen a beetle that big (body = 3 inches / 7.5 cms) so looked it up, definitely a giant water bug.
Richard Turner UK.
for : Dr Stam Zorgaris; Stam blog of 2018 asked if anyone had seen these giant water bugs in Greece.
Yes: May 2019 in Corfu – west side – on the beach between the sea and lake Korission.
Alas no camera with me, I had never seen a beetle that big (body = 3 inches / 7.5 cms) so looked it up, definitely a giant water bug.
Richard Turner UK.
We found one of these Lethocerus beetles in Kuşadası Turkey – on the Adriatic Coast.
It was dead unfortunately but we took it home to show my son.
It wasn’t near water but in some foliage on the side of the road.
It’s length is 9cms.
We found one of these Lethocerus beetles in Kuşadası Turkey – on the Adriatic Coast.
It was dead unfortunately but we took it home to show my son.
It wasn’t near water but in some foliage on the side of the road.
It’s length is 9cms.
Are they in Florida
According to BugGuide, Uhler’s Water Bug is the “most common Lethocerus in FL”
We found one, 10cm, in lefkada Greece, southern coast, swimming at the beach. It was very alive, and clung to a bathing suit, of a baby. It was terrifying.
We call this one an oil sands beetle in the muskeg areas of northern Alberta, a huge biting, flying, water beetle
Interesting. According to BugGuide, the common name Oil Sands Beetle is used for the White-Spotted sawyer.
Dear What’s that bug,
I am writing a paper on water bug from Greece. Please, let me know how can I cite correctly some information on its findings I have found in the present site: https://www.whatsthatbug.com/2013/05/20/giant-water-bug-from-greece/
Thank you very much in advance for for your kind reply,
Maria Corsini-Foka
Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
Dear What’s that bug,
I am writing a paper on water bug from Greece. Please, let me know how can I cite correctly some information on its findings I have found in the present site: https://www.whatsthatbug.com/2013/05/20/giant-water-bug-from-greece/
Thank you very much in advance for for your kind reply,
Maria Corsini-Foka
Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
Yes you may cite WTB?
They are also on Pennsylvania. My sister found one today!
Saw one the first time in my life the day before yesterday in our swimmimg pool. Man that thing can move in the water! – Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
My sister lives in Ceres Western Cape South Africa she found one in her swimming pool yesterday. Have video and pictures
Saw one of these on the edge of our koi/goldfish pond last night in Bisbee, AZ. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it *in* the pond before, too–just below the water’s surface. While outside the water/on the edge of the pond, it spent a good amount of time seemingly drying its legs and body, or maybe cleaning itself off? It was fascinating to watch, if also a bit horrifying XD
We found one of these in Mont Carmel last night (30th June , 2022). Landed on my sons leg so did have the chance to take a picture.
Hi. I saw a massive water beetle whilst sup boarding in Paleros this morning. Easily 10cm long. It was on the surface in about 1-2m of water.