Belostomatidae

Belostomatidae is a family of freshwater hemipteran insects known as giant water bugs or colloquially as toe-biters, Indian toe-biters, electric-light bugs (because they fly to lights in large numbers), alligator ticks, or alligator fleas (in Florida). They are the largest insects in the order Hemiptera. There are about 170 species found in freshwater habitats worldwide, with more than 110 in the Neotropics, more than 20 in Africa, almost as many in the Nearctic, and far fewer elsewhere. These predators are typically encountered in freshwater ponds, marshes and slow-flowing streams. Most speci

Lethocerus is a genus of the hemipteran family Belostomatidae, known colloquially as giant water bugs, toe biters and electric light bugs, distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas of the world. The greatest diversity of species occurs in the Americas, with only a single species in Europe, two in Africa, two in Australia and three in Asia. It includes the largest true bugs with species capable of reaching a length of over . The South American L. grandis and L. maximus are the only species to commonly exceed , with more typical lengths for the remaining species being between . Le

species of true bug

species of true bug

Belostoma is a genus of insects in the hemipteran family Belostomatidae, known colloquially as giant water bugs. Members of this genus are native to freshwater habitats in the Americas, with the greatest species richness in tropical South America. Most species in the family Belostomatidae have historically been included in Belostoma, but several of these have been moved to other genera (although Belostoma remains a genus with many members). 9 species are claimed to be found in Northern America, but the genus Belostoma is actually divided into 16 subgroups containing about 70 species.

Abedus is a genus of giant water bugs (family Belostomatidae) found in freshwater habitats in southern United States, Mexico and Central America. Sometimes called ferocious water bugs, these brown insects typically are between long, although A. immaculatus only is about , making it the smallest North American belostomatid and possibly worthy of separation in its own genus. Otherwise the different Abedus species are very similar and can often only be separated with a microscope. They will bite in self-defense, which is painful but not dangerous.

species of true bug

Diplonychus is a genus of true bugs belonging to the family Belostomatidae.

species of insect

Appasus is a genus of giant water bugs (family Belostomatidae) found in freshwater habitats in Asia and Africa.

species of insect

species of insect

species of insect

species of insect

species of insect

species of insect

species of giant water bug

species of giant water bug

Horvathinia is a small genus in the family Belostomatidae, and the only genus in its subfamily. Horvathinia are incredibly rare. In 2006, specimens were discovered in a wetland habitat.

species of insect

species of insect

species of insect

genus of insects