Post details: Giant water bug from Ecuador


Giant water bug from Ecuador
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We heard you wanted to see a picture of a simply gigantic water bug.

Giant water bug © Kevin via fishpondinfo.com

So here it is. This is a giant belostomatid water bug. This picture is from the website Fishpondinfo and was taken in Ecuador by Kevin from Kentucky.

These bugs are the largest insects in the order Hemiptera, and occur in freshwater habitats in a range of locations worldwide, mostly in North and South America and East Asia. They have some unusual reproductive habits, and are also particularly popular in Thailand: can you guess why?

[More:]

Fried Giant Water Bug Lethocerus indicus - Chiang Mai Night Bazaar © avlxyz

Yes, that's right, they eat them. In the northeast region of Thailand, eating insects is common. This species (known as mang dah; Thai: แมงดา) is a popular dish, eaten whole and fried.

Belostomatids also have an unusual and odd-looking way of caring for their eggs. the female lays them on the back of the male, who carries them around, looking after them. This can give the big male bugs a rather odd appearance.

Male giant water bug and eggs © NoiseCollusion

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Posted on 17th February 2010 at 8 51 am
by The Virtual Ranger
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