onenicebugperday:Giant water bugs are a family (Belostomatidae) of fresh water insects known colloqu
onenicebugperday:Giant water bugs are a family (Belostomatidae) of fresh water insects known colloquially as toe biters or alligator ticks/fleas. They’re typically found in ponds, marshes, and streams, and are the largest insect in the Hemiptera order. Adults cannot breathe in the water, but rather through a tube located at the end of the abdomen that must occasionally be positioned above the water line. Eggs are laid by the female on the male’s back, and he carries them there until they hatch (eggs in photo 4, photo 10 shows hatched and discarded egg mass).Giant water bugs are predators that hunt fish, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates. Large species have even been observed eating small turtles and snakes. They will jab unwitting humans in defense with their rostrum (photo 9), and although the bite is extremely painful, it’s not otherwise harmful.Photo 1 by Frank Vassen, 2 by del_kelm , 3 by unipunctata, 4 by Greg Hume, 5 by dwwebb, 6 by kueda, 7 by sdz456, 8 by greglasley, 9 by thehaplesshiker, and 10 by yetikat -- source link