title: Lethocerus americanus, the "toe biter".
abstract: Lethocerus americanus is a large water bug commonly found in ponds and slowly moving fresh water. Also known as the "toe biter" for its encounters with swimmers, it has the reputation of inflicting painful bites when carelessly handled. It normally feeds on other pond life: insects, tadpoles, salamander, small fish, and snails. These large tan or brown bugs may leave their habitat at night in search of mates or another pond. It is thought that the relative nearness of bright lights for a creature that evolved using celestial navigation, results in disorientation, spiral flight paths, and eventual death from exhaustion. This would account for the occasional find of several dead giant water bugs underneath street lamps.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005618:Fresh Water; D006430:Hemiptera; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings; D014034:Toes