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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. [1]
Abedus herberti, the toe biter (a name also used for several other giant water bugs) or ferocious water bug, is a species of giant water bug in the family Belostomatidae. [1] [2] It is native to streams, especially in highlands, in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah in the United States and in northwestern Mexico.
Lethocerus americanus, sometimes called the electric light bug, toe biter or fish killer, [1] is a giant water bug in the family Belostomatidae, native to southern Canada and the United States (north of 35°N; other Lethocerus species are found southwards). [2] It typically has a length around 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in). [3]
The water bugs, also known as “toe biter” bugs, are native to nations surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Turkey and Israel, but have been absent from Cyprus shores, according ...
Lethocerus sp. with wings open. Unlike giant water bugs in the subfamily Belostomatinae, females do not lay the eggs on the backs of males. [4] Instead, after copulation (often multiple sessions [5]) the eggs are laid on emergent vegetation (rarely on man-made structures) high enough above the waterline that the eggs will not be permanently submerged.
The males are carrying the eggs cemented on theirs backs, that are placed there by the females. The males carry them until the nymphs hatch. [5] Bugs of the genus Belostoma prefer lentic habitats with submerged or emergent vegetation and for overwintering the adults fly to ponds and slow-moving waters.
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While giant water bugs in the subfamily Belostomatinae brood eggs on their back, species in the subfamily Lethocerinae oviposit eggs on objects above the water surface. Male L. medius provide parental care by moistening the eggs, shading them, and protecting them from predators by resting on top of them.