Huge Flying Scorpion Roach, Lethocerus americanus, is a Giant Water Bug | 1080HD

• Report rights infringement
• published: 07 Aug 2013
• views: 14020

Huge Flying Scorpion Roach, Lethocerus americanus, is a Giant Water Bug This is a giant water bug, but they are sometimes called "toe biters," "swamp crabs," or "electric light bugs," The first time I saw one I freaked out. This thing is about 3/4 the size of the largest one I've seen and when the bigger one took flight it looked like a bat in the sky. Honestly, I've seen more bugs the size of a credit card in the last 2 months in Louisiana, than I've seen ever in my entire life. From what I read, these water bugs have a very painful sting/bite, so I didn't dare get near it with any of my skin and freaked out when it took off. The underside of it kind of looks like a moth's tail with the segments. Just found out this genus, Lethocerus, includes the largest true bugs, and their bite is considered one of the most painful that can ever be inflicted by any insect! Lethocerus is a genus of the hemipteran family Belostomatidae, known colloquially as giant water bugs, distributed throughout the tropical, subtropical and temperate areas of the world. The greatest diversity of species occurs in the Americas. It includes the largest true bugs with species reaching a length of over 11 centimetres (4.3 in). Lethocerus americanus is a giant water bug in the family Belostomatidae, native to North America. It was originally classified as a species in genus Belostoma. Commonly found in ponds, marshes and on the edges of lakes and slow moving streams, adults and larvae feed on other insects, small crustaceans (crabs/crayfish), tadpoles, snails and small fish. The adult swims with the aid of its hind legs. A pair of front forelimbs are used for capturing and latching onto its intended prey, which it then injects with digestive toxins through a somewhat retractable proboscis much like that of a mosquito. (Creepy!) Lethocerus tends to let its prey pre-digest for 10–15 minutes before eating. (Like a spider!) Multiple L. americanus have been seen to hunt and then share the same prey animal. (Holy Crap! Can you imagine being attacked by a swarm of these!?) Underwater, the adult breathes air that it traps under its wings using two snorkel-like tubes that extend from the rear of its abdomen. Commonly known as "toe biters", L. americanus may deliver a painful bite if handled or disturbed. However, they prefer to avoid humans rather than engage them whenever possible. If disturbed in the water, its speed allows it to quickly break away while its natural camouflage easily conceals it. Even if agitated on dry land, the L. americanus will first attempt to escape or play dead before raising its forelimbs and hindquarters in what resembles a fighting stance. If agitation continues, it will use its forelimbs to latch onto the source of the agitation and attempt to deliver a painful bite. Also known as the "electric light bug", it may be attracted by electric lights while flying at night. Recorded with my Samsung Galaxy SII Skyrocket smartphone.