Diet

• Adults and nymphs: Predatory aquatic insects that feed on insects and their larvae, tadpoles, small fish, snails, crustaceans and other small aquatic animals.

• They seize prey with their powerful raptorial forelegs and pierce it with their sharp beak.

• Digestive enzymes are injected into the prey, allowing the bug to suck out the liquefied internal tissues.

Range

• Belostomatinae is a subfamily of giant water bugs (Belostomatidae) found throughout much of the world's tropical and subtropical freshwater environments.

• They are occasionally sighted in Zihua, particularly around freshwater ponds, streams, wetlands and other suitable aquatic habitats.

Habitat

• Found primarily in freshwater ponds, marshes, wetlands, streams, canals, rice fields and the margins of lakes and other quiet waters.

• Many species prefer water containing aquatic vegetation, which provides shelter and hunting opportunities.

• Adults can leave the water and fly considerable distances, particularly at night.

• Around Zihua, artificial lights near freshwater habitats can be productive places to look for flying adults.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 15–110 mm (0.6–4.3 in), depending on genus and species.

• The smaller Belostoma species are generally only a few centimetres long, while the enormous Lethocerus species can exceed 10 cm.

• Body broad, flattened and oval, with powerful grasping front legs and flattened, paddle-like hind legs.

• Most species are brown, greyish-brown or dark olive, providing excellent camouflage in aquatic vegetation and muddy habitats.