Megan's Nature Nook
Nature Notes, Phenology, Photography, Fun Facts, Trips, Maybe Even a Bad Joke or Two... and More!
While out on a morning walk this little, or should I say big, guy almost got stepped on! This Giant Water Bug (Lethocerus americanus) was in the middle of the walking path near the parking lot of a department store. Why would a water bug be on a paved walking path far from any water sources? Giant Water Bugs also known as “toe-biters” or Electric Light Bugs are about 2 inches long and an inch wide with a four-inch wingspan. They’re easily identified by their large size, a giant pair of pinchers, and a characteristic large mouthpart called a proboscis that is used for piercing and sucking. They are in the insect order Hemiptera – the “true” bugs. Giant Water Bugs are usually found in slow moving water like ponds, lakes, or sloughs where they hunt for food and lay their eggs. They eat other aquatic insects, tadpoles, small fish, crustaceans, and even frogs, baby turtles, and small snakes! They are known as “ambush predators” who wait for their prey to cross their path, then grab it with their large pinchers bringing it to their sharp, piercing mouthpart. They will then pierce their prey and inject toxic digestive juices that immobilize the prey and liquifies their internal parts. After a few minutes the Giant Water Bug will then suck up the slurry for their meal. Some Giant Water Bug species will lay their eggs on the male’s back where he incubates and protects them. Other species will lay the eggs on vegetation in the water or near the water’s edge with the male nearby to protect and care for the eggs. Once the eggs hatch the nymphs look like small versions of the adults and will shed their skin multiple times as they grow and go through 5 different developmental stages eventually becoming an adult. As young, Giant Water Bugs breath oxygen through their skin, but as adults they have to breath air directly. In order to stay under water yet be able to breath, they have an appendage at the base of the abdomen (near the rear end) that acts like a snorkel. They can get air from above the surface of the water and store it as a bubble under their wings somewhat like a scuba tank. Insects don’t have lungs like mammals, but instead breath through a network of tiny tubes throughout their bodies called tracheae. The Giant Water Bug takes in air from under its wings through holes in the abdomen called spiracles and then it is distributed throughout the body through the tracheae. Since Giant Water Bugs breath air, they can easily leave the water and are often found flying around at night looking for new bodies of water or a mate. Unfortunately, artificial light sources like streetlights can easily disorient the insects and cause them to become stranded in unfavorable places like parking lots or streets because they get exhausted from flying around the light source. This is most likely what happened to the Giant Water Bug I found on the paved walking path. If you do happen to find a stranded Giant Water Bug, you can carefully pick it up and return it to a natural water source. Watch your fingers! Their bite can be excruciatingly painful. Giant Water Bugs aren’t the only wildlife affected by artificial lighting. Read my blog post “Lights Out for Wildlife - Save the Birds (And Fireflies)!” by clicking the button below. Even if you’re not a bug person, Giant Water Bugs are quite interesting! Not only are they interesting, but they’re important in the ecosystem. Giant Water Bugs are at the top of their food chain and help to keep other invertebrate populations in check. You can think of them as the wolves and cougars of the insect world. Not a fan of mosquitoes? Thank the Giant Water Bugs for helping to keep the mosquito population down (even if it still seems like there are too many of them)! Fun Fact: When frightened by large predators, like humans, the Giant Water Bug will play dead and may even ooze fluid from their back side to add to the drama. But beware, they may suddenly come to life and pierce the predator with their sharp proboscis! Here's a quick video of meal time for a Giant Water Bug! Thank you Tony Long for the pictures and videos used in this blog post!
3 Comments
Leslie Goble
4/30/2020 12:36:15 pm
I like the article, but not the bug! Interesting, but nasty! (I do understand its value, though).
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Megan Betcher
4/30/2020 09:52:45 pm
Thanks for the comment! Insects aren't always a favorite, but they sure are important!
Reply
12/21/2023 05:15:46 am
This article is incredibly informative! 🐜 The detailed strategies and tips provided are invaluable in managing pests effectively. Kudos to the author for sharing such practical and helpful advice!
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