California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Aquatic Biological Assement

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Belostomatidae Level 1 Level 2

 

Belostomatidae

 

Key Characters

Giant water bugs, electric light bugs. Large, dorsoventrally flattened. Raptorial forelegs. Breathe through flat abdominal air straps. In some genera, eggs are deposited on the back of the male. Predators of insects, tadpoles, fish and even birds!
Tolerance 8
Distribution CA, OR, WA, NV, AZ