Belostoma sp., in the Giant Water Bug family (Belostomatidae), are voracious predators. Typically th
Belostoma sp., in the Giant Water Bug family (Belostomatidae), are voracious predators. Typically they hang down from vegetation, with only their retractable breathing straps (located on the tip of their abdomen) above water. When prey get close they use their raptorial front legs to grab their meal and secure it.Giant water bugs are strong swimmers, and will also actively pursue prey. If their target is on the large side they will hold on to it while it swims about, slowly killing it with poisonous salivary enzymes. They will consume just about anything they can latch onto: insects, tadpoles, frogs, fish. There are even reports of finding giant water bugs latched onto small birds. Genus: Belostoma Family: Belostomatidae Order: Hemiptera (true bugs) Collected on Nine Mile Creek, Onondaga County, NY. Information taken from Voshell, JR. 2002. -- source link
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