Belostomatidae

Belostomatidae
Abedus indentatus male with eggs on its back
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Infraorder:	Nepomorpha
Family:	Belostomatidae Leach, 1815
Subfamilies and genera
Belostomatinae Abedus Appasus Belostoma Diplonychus Hydrocyrius Limnogeton Poissonia Sphaerodema Weberiellia Lethocerinae Lethocerus Benacus Kirkaldyia Horvathiniinae Horvathinia

The Belostomatidae comprises a family of insects in the order Hemiptera, known as giant water bugs or colloquially as toe-biters, Indian toe-biters, electric-light bugs, alligator ticks, or fleas (in Florida). They are the largest insects in the order Hemiptera, and occur worldwide, with most of the species in North America, South America, Northern Australia, and East Asia. They are typically encountered in freshwater streams and ponds. Most species are relatively large, typically at least 0.75 in (2 cm) long, although smaller species also exist. The largest are members of the genus Lethocerus, which can exceed 4.75 in (12 cm) and nearly reach the length of some of the larger beetles in the world. Giant water bugs are a popular food in certain countries in southeast Asia.

Habits

Lethocerus americanus in Montana, USA

Feeding and defense

The Belostomatidae are fierce predators which stalk, capture, and feed on aquatic invertebrates, snails, crustaceans, fish, and amphibians. The largest species have also been found to capture and feed on baby turtles and water snakes. They often lie motionless at the bottom of a body of water, attached to various objects, where they wait for prey to come near. Their bite is considered one of the most painful that can be inflicted by any insect; however, though excruciatingly painful, it is of no medical significance. Adults cannot breathe under water, so must surface periodically for air.

Breeding

Male (red tag) and female (blue tag) copulating

Belostomatids show paternal care, among others involving the North American Belostoma flumineum and the East Asian Lethocerus (Kirkaldyia) deyrollei. In species of the subfamily Belostomatinae, the eggs are typically laid on the male's wings and carried until they hatch. This role reversal matches the predictions of R. L. Trivers' parental investment theory. In the subfamily Lethocerinae, the eggs are laid on emergent vegetation and guarded by the male.

In Asian cuisine

Fried giant water bugs at a market in Thailand

In some areas, belostomatids are considered a delicacy, and can be found for sale in markets. This is mainly in Southeast Asia involving the species Lethocerus indicus. They are often collected for this purpose using large floating traps on ponds, set with black lights to attract the bugs. Adults fly at night, like many aquatic insects, and are attracted to lights during the breeding season.

External links

• Factsheet from zoo.org
• Sex role reversal
• Toebiters
• Pictures of a Giant Water bug from whatsthatbug.com
• Lethocerus, Abedus, Belostoma spp. on the University of Florida / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Featured Creatures Web site
• Giant Water Bug Feeding on Frog