Giant Water Bug

Scientific name: Lethocerus americanus (Leidy)
(Hemiptera: Belostomatidae)

Facts: Giant water bugs are commonly attracted to lights and are very large, approximately 3 inches long. They are sometimes called "electric light bugs" because of their habit of flying to lights. They are predators and occasionally feed on small fish but more commonly on insects. They have piercing-sucking mouthparts and can give a painful bite if not carefully handled by a collector.

Photo credit:    Bastiaan (Bart) Drees, Extension Entomology, Texas A&M University