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''Lethocerus'' is a genus of the hemipteran family
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, alligator ticks, or alligator fleas (in Florida). They are the largest insects in the or ...
, 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 The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. Along with th ...
, 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 .Haddad Jr; Schwartz; Schwartz; and Carvalho (2010). ''Bites Caused by Giant Water Bugs Belonging to Belostomatidae Family (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) in Humans: A Report of Seven Cases.'' Wilderness & Environmental Medicine 21: 130–133. 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 . ''Lethocerus'' sp. are distinguished from other genera in the
Lethocerinae Belostomatidae is a family of freshwater hemipteran insects known as giant water bugs or colloquially as toe-biters, Indian toe-biters, electric-light bugs, alligator ticks, or alligator fleas (in Florida). They are the largest insects in the or ...
('' Benacus'' and ''
Kirkaldyia ''Lethocerus deyrollei'' is a species of giant water bug (family Belostomatidae) that traditionally is included in the genus ''Lethocerus'', although recent authorities place it in the ''Kirkaldyia''.P. J. Perez-Goodwyn (2006). ''Taxonomic revis ...
'') by two symmetrical furrows in the inner pad of setae on the fore femur, the external borders of parasternites II and III narrowed and nearly straight, and with the setae of the tarsomeres following the line of the tibial setae.


Habits

Unlike giant water bugs in the subfamily Belostomatinae, females do not lay the eggs on the backs of males. Instead, after copulation (often multiple sessions) 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 male then guards the eggs from predators and periodically brings water to the eggs to prevent their
desiccation Desiccation () is the state of extreme dryness, or the process of extreme drying. A desiccant is a hygroscopic (attracts and holds water) substance that induces or sustains such a state in its local vicinity in a moderately sealed container. ...
. Like other members of the giant water bug family, ''Lethocerus'' species are predators that overpower prey by stabbing it with the
rostrum Rostrum may refer to: * Any kind of a platform for a speaker: **dais **pulpit * Rostrum (anatomy), a beak, or anatomical structure resembling a beak, as in the mouthparts of many sucking insects * Rostrum (ship), a form of bow on naval ships * Ros ...
and injecting a saliva that includes a number of enzymes that break down proteins. As many as 132 components have been found in their saliva or venom, several being similar to those found in
assassin bugs The Reduviidae are a large cosmopolitan family of the order Hemiptera (true bugs). Among the Hemiptera and together with the Nabidae almost all species are terrestrial ambush predators: most other predatory Hemiptera are aquatic. The main exam ...
. The proboscis is then used to suck the liquified and semi-digested body fluid of the prey. The rostrum can also be used in self-defense, and the bite is very painful to humans, causing swelling and pulsating pain, but usually resolves within about five hours at most. ''Lethocerus'' adults are attracted to lights (hence the name electric light bug) and are attracted in large numbers as they disperse from one water body to another during the rainy season. Some species are eaten, particularly in Southeast Asia and a few are endangered.


Species

, this is an exhaustive listing of all known species of ''Lethocerus'': *''
Lethocerus americanus ''Lethocerus americanus'' 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). It typically has a length around .P. J. Perez-Goodw ...
'' *'' Lethocerus angustipes'' *''
Lethocerus annulipes ''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 speci ...
'' *'' Lethocerus bruchi'' *'' Lethocerus camposi'' *'' Lethocerus collosicus'' *''
Lethocerus cordofanus ''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 speci ...
'' *''
Lethocerus delpontei ''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 speci ...
'' *''
Lethocerus dilatus ''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 speci ...
'' *''
Lethocerus distinctifemur ''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 speci ...
'' *''
Lethocerus grandis ''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 speci ...
'' *''
Lethocerus indicus ''Lethocerus indicus'' is a giant water bug in the family Belostomatidae, native to South and Southeast Asia, as well as southeast China, the Ryukyu Islands, and New Guinea.P. J. Perez-Goodwyn (2006). ''Taxonomic revision of the subfamily Lethoc ...
'' *''
Lethocerus insulanus ''Lethocerus insulanus'' is a species of giant water bug of the family Belostomatidae. Its common name is the giant water bug, but it is also called the electric light bug or giant fishkiller. These names are also used for various other members o ...
'' *''
Lethocerus jimenezasuai ''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 speci ...
'' *''
Lethocerus maximus ''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 speci ...
'' *''
Lethocerus mazzai ''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 speci ...
'' *'' Lethocerus medius'' *'' Lethocerus melloleitaoi'' *'' Lethocerus oculatus'' *'' Lethocerus patruelis'' *'' Lethocerus truxali'' *''
Lethocerus uhleri ''Lethocerus uhleri'', or Uhler's water bug, is a species of giant water bug in the family Belostomatidae Belostomatidae is a family of freshwater hemipteran insects known as giant water bugs or colloquially as toe-biters, Indian toe-biters, e ...
'' The oldest known fossil of the genus is an indeterminate species from the
Bembridge Marls The Bouldnor Formation is a geological formation in the Hampshire Basin of southern England. It is the youngest formation of the Solent Group and was deposited during the uppermost Eocene and lower Oligocene. Stratotype and occurrence The Boul ...
,
Isle of Wight The Isle of Wight ( ) is a county in the English Channel, off the coast of Hampshire, from which it is separated by the Solent. It is the largest and second-most populous island of England. Referred to as 'The Island' by residents, the Isle of ...
, UK. In addition to these, ''
Lethocerus deyrollei ''Lethocerus deyrollei'' is a species of giant water bug (family Belostomatidae) that traditionally is included in the genus ''Lethocerus'', although recent authorities place it in the ''Kirkaldyia''.P. J. Perez-Goodwyn (2006). ''Taxonomic revis ...
'', which is one of the best known giant water bugs, has traditionally been included in this genus, but in 2006 it was moved to ''
Kirkaldyia ''Lethocerus deyrollei'' is a species of giant water bug (family Belostomatidae) that traditionally is included in the genus ''Lethocerus'', although recent authorities place it in the ''Kirkaldyia''.P. J. Perez-Goodwyn (2006). ''Taxonomic revis ...
''.


References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3008418 Nepomorpha genera Belostomatidae Hemiptera of North America