Belostomatinae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Nepomorpha
Superfamily: Nepoidea
Family: Belostomatidae
Subfamily: Belostomatinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Belostomatinae: /bɛloʊstoʊməˈtiːnaɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Belostoma minor by Fredlyfish4. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Belostoma flumineum ae28 Sand Lake WI-US by aeshnidae28. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Belostoma confusum MP Calhoun County TX US by Matthew Pintar. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Belostoma lutarium Williamsburg FL US by geosesarma. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Giant Water Bug (Belostomatidae) - London, Ontario 05 by Ryan Hodnett. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Abedus immaculatus 2 by Fredlyfish4. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Belostomatinae is a subfamily of giant water bugs, characterized by large size, raptorial forelegs, and a predatory lifestyle in freshwater habitats. They display paternal care during reproduction.

Physical Characteristics

Flattened, obovoid to ovoid-elongate body; large compound eyes; short antennae; short breathing tube; raptorial forelegs (except for the genus Limnogeton); hind tarsi with two apical claws.

Identification Tips

Adults are large, typically at least 2 cm long; can exceed 12 cm in the genus Lethocerus; recognizable by their flattened body and large size relative to other insects.

Habitat

Freshwater ponds, marshes, and slow-flowing streams.

Distribution

Worldwide, with about 170 species; more than 110 in the Neotropics, over 20 in Africa, and several in the Nearctic.

Diet

Predators of fish, amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, baby turtles, and water snakes.

Life Cycle

Eggs typically laid on the male's wings and carried until hatching; males cannot mate during this period.

Reproduction

Male parental care, with females actively seeking mates; eggs laid on male's wings.

Predators

Predators of smaller aquatic animals; exact natural enemies not specified.

Ecosystem Role

Important predators in freshwater ecosystems, controlling populations of fish and invertebrates.

Economic Impact

Giant water bugs are consumed as food, particularly in parts of Asia.

Cultural Significance

Consumed in Southeast Asian cuisine and used in traditional dietary practices.

Health Concerns

Sting can be painful but is of no medical significance; occasionally, they 'play dead' to evade larger animals.

Collecting Methods

Using large floating traps on ponds with black lights during breeding season.

Evolution

The oldest fossil member is Triassonepa from the Late Triassic.

Similar Taxa

Lethocerinae
Horvathiniinae