Aaahhhhhhh Belostomatidae!!! Also known as a Giant Water Bug, this is a family of very large (in size) aquatic hemipterans (true bugs). They are also predatory and are sometimes called “toe-biters.” They eat other aquatic insects, but also amphibians, fish, and some birds. And, yes, that’s right, they fly.
I have not been so blessed to meet a living one, but I did encounter them in a somewhat unexpected place:
They are good eatings, if you’re into that sort of thing! And look at how EXPENSIVE!
November 20, 2018
These guys aren’t technically dangerous, but have (supposedly, I have not personally tested this) the most painful bite of any North American insect, thanks to the digestive acid they can inject. It won’t cause you any harm, but it’s gonna hurt like heck if one gets you. They usually live in slow-moving, murky water with a lot of plants, which isn’t great to wade in anyway because there’s leeches, and they aren’t aggressive. They’ll just bite you if you step on one or put your toe right in front of a big one. Hence the name!
Also, they fly, and they’re attracted to lights. They can wind up pretty far away from water as adults.
If you have a very tight-fitting lid and the patience to wiggle their food in front of them on tweezers every couple of days, they make good pets! Just… in their own tanks. I had some for a little while, and can confirm that not even heavily-armored diving beetles are safe. And I just had a couple of babies!
Also, they are guaranteed to impress just about anyone you show them to. Who doesn’t run away first.
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