Belostoma bakeri

Montandon, 1913

giant water bug

Belostoma bakeri is a in the , described by Montandon in 1913. The is distributed across Central America and North America. Research at Montezuma Well, Arizona has established it as a significant top in fishless desert spring , where it contributes substantially to secondary consumer production and trophic energy flow.

Belostoma bakeri by (c) Matthew Pintar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matthew Pintar. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Belostoma bakeri: /bɛloʊˈstɔmə ˈbeɪkəraɪ/

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Images

Habitat

Aquatic freshwater environments including fishless desert springs. Documented from Montezuma Well, Arizona—a thermally constant aquatic lacking fish . Likely occurs in ponds, slowly moving freshwaters, and spring systems throughout its range.

Distribution

Central America and North America. Specific records from Montezuma Well, Arizona. GBIF records indicate presence in Middle America and North America.

Diet

Predatory on aquatic . Laboratory studies demonstrate preferential capture of amphipods (Hyalella montezuma) over (Telebasis salva), with movement influencing success. Captures more amphipods (≥3 mm) than (<3 mm) under light conditions.

Behavior

Predatory is influenced by activity levels; more active prey (amphipods) are captured more frequently than less active prey ( ). Visual component suggested by size-selective capture of amphipods in light versus dark conditions.

Ecological Role

Top in fishless aquatic . Production of 2.8 g dry weight m⁻² yr⁻¹, representing 25% of total secondary consumer production and 72% of top predator production at Montezuma Well. Contributes to energy transfer with ecological of 2.7% between lower and aquatic .

More Details

Production Ecology

At Montezuma Well, Arizona, Belostoma bakeri exhibited a mean standing stock of 0.214 g m⁻², annual P:B̄ ratio of 13.3, cohort P:B̄ of 4.7, and annual energy production of 5.88 × 10⁴ J m⁻² yr⁻¹.

Trophic Position

Ecological in the Montezuma Well was measured at 13.2% between primary producers and amphipods, 5.1% between amphipods and , and 2.7% between lower levels and aquatic including B. bakeri.