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Belostomatidae is a family of freshwater hemipteran insects known as giant water bugs or colloquially as toe-biters, Indian toe-biters, electric-light bugs (because they fly to lights in large numbers), alligator ticks, or alligator fleas (in Florida). They are the largest insects in the order Hemiptera. [1]
Bugs of the genus Belostoma prefer lentic habitats with submerged or emergent vegetation and for overwintering the adults fly to ponds and slow-moving waters. During the springtime and the early summer they often fly to electric light-sources, thus they are also called "electric-light-bugs". [6] The life circle contains one generation a year.
Symptoms to note: Contrary to popular belief, chiggers don’t burrow into your skin or suck blood—but that doesn’t make their bites any less itchy. The severe discomfort can last up to two ...
What they look like: Chiggers, a type of small mite, typically leave clusters of bites that are often very itchy. In many cases, chigger bites appear as small, red and itchy bumps. Sometimes, they ...
Lethocerus sp. with wings open. Unlike giant water bugs in the subfamily Belostomatinae, females do not lay the eggs on the backs of males. [4] Instead, after copulation (often multiple sessions [5]) the eggs are laid on emergent vegetation (rarely on man-made structures) high enough above the waterline that the eggs will not be permanently submerged.
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Green describes her chigger bites as, “unbelievable, intense itching in all the wrong places.” (Don’t miss this handy bite guide to identify common bugs bites.) Why chigger bites are so itchy
Adults reach lengths of 47–64 mm, making them one of the largest aquatic insect species found in eastern North America. [7] It is distinguished from other Lethocerinae species by the lack of a groove on its front femur. [6] [7] It is also characterized by a wide hind tibia and black ventral stripes. [6] [7]