Belostomatidae

Family of true bugs

Belostomatidae is a family of freshwater hemipteran insects known as giant water bugs or colloquially as toe biters, Indian toe biters, electric light bugs, alligator ticks, or alligator fleas (in Florida). They are the largest insects in the order Hemiptera. There are about 170 species found in freshwater habitats worldwide, with more than 110 in the Neotropics, more than 20 in Africa, almost as many in the Nearctic, and far fewer elsewhere. These predators are typically encountered in freshwater ponds, marshes and slow flowing streams. Most species are at least long, although smaller species, down to , also exist. The largest are members of the genus Lethocerus, which can exceed and nearly reach the length of some of the largest beetles in the world. Giant water bugs are a popular food in parts of Asia.

[[File:Giant water bug (Belostomatidae), Vohimana reserve, Madagascar (13569458513). jpg|thumb|The largest Hemiptera in the world are Lethocerus (L. oculatus shown) Adults cannot breathe under water, so must periodically place the breathing tube at the surface for air (similar to a snorkel). saliva is injected, allowing the Belostomatid to suck out the liquefied remains.

Belostomatids are aggressive predators that stalk, capture, and feed on fish, amphibians, as well as aquatic invertebrates such as snails and crustaceans. The largest species have also been found to capture and feed on baby turtles and water snakes. They often lie motionless at the bottom of a body of water, attached to various objects, where they wait for prey to come near. They then strike, injecting a venomous digestive saliva with their rostrum. Although their sting is excruciatingly painful, it is of no medical significance. Occasionally, when encountered by a larger animal or a human, they have been known to "play dead" and most species can emit a fluid from their anus.

Belostomatids can be found for sale in markets mainly in Southeast Asia involving the species Lethocerus indicus. In Southeast Asia they are often collected for this purpose using large floating traps on ponds, set with black lights to attract the bugs. Adults fly at night, like many aquatic insects, and are attracted to lights during the breeding season.