Identify

[G_Gekko]

Hi need help identify a little creature. Granted it is not a fish but there seems to exist a lot of knowledge over here so perhaps someone knows the answer anyway.

Se the picture and please tell me what it is. The picture is close to real size.

I also posted the picture on my aquarium blog at the site in my sig along with some info about the hunt for tropicals gars on which i found this creature in guatemala and am hoping that someone somewhere can tell what it is.

 

[guppy]

Giant waterbug, a very serious predator with a very painful bite, give me a couple minute and I'll find the species. They are found world wide and often eat fish and frogs larger than they are.

 

[Oddball]

Giant Water Bug (Lethocerus sp.)(Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) - Predators found mainly in still water habitats, from small ponds to Great Lakes coastal wetlands. Large enough to capture small fish and tadpoles, these voracious insects will pierce their prey with a pointed mouthpart, inject a digestive enzyme that liquifies tissue, and suck the contents from the prey's body. Don't let them bite!

 

[G_Gekko]

Whoaw. That was quick. Thanks guys.

Time to update the blog and sy that the mystery is solved.
I guess it was esier to identify than i ervy thought.

 

[guppy]

Okay, I have the genus, Lethocerus, but there are several species including the americanus. here is a picture of one from Costa Rica and some US ones.

 

[G_Gekko]

I'll do fine without the axact genus. The information you given me is great,

The one from Costa Rica does however seem to have much smaller mouthparts in comparison with the rest of the body but that might perhaps just have to do with the gender.

 

[fishnthings]

WOW>..... thats one big waterbug

 

[guppy]

Well, as I said, there are several species, here is the americanus eating a frog, an australian, and one from Thailand. Adult males are often seen carrying egg cemented to their backs by females.

 

[johno27]

Those are pretty cool if they where not so creepy i may want one

 

[Peanut_Power]

!!! I HATE THOSE THINGS!! Got nailed more than once on my feet by them!! Walkin around in the rivers and ponds barefoot! AGHHH! !! SeRiOuSlY a non-enjoyable experience!!