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 of the family, including the other Australian species, L. distinctifemur, which is similar to L. insulanus.[1]

Lethocerus insulanus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Belostomatidae
Genus:
Lethocerus
Species:
L. insulanus
Binomial name
Lethocerus insulanus
(Montandon, 1898)

Distribution

The species is found in north-eastern Australia, particularly Queensland, but also northern New South Wales and the Northern Territory. It is also present in the Philippines and parts of Melanesia including New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea.[2]

It lives in still, freshwater bodies such as lakes.[3]

Description

Lethocerus insulanus is very large, with adults typically reaching a length of 5–7 cm (2.0–2.8 in).[1] It uses a posterior syphon like a snorkel to breathe underwater while hunting.[3]

References
  1. P. J. Perez-Goodwyn (2006). Taxonomic revision of the subfamily Lethocerinae Lauck & Menke (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae)". Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde. A (Biologie) 695: 1–71.
  2. Species Lethocerus (Lethocerus) insulanus (Montandon, 1898), Australian Faunal Directory, Department of the Environment, 30 November 2012.
  3. Giant Water Bug, Australian Museum.


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