Alpine Plant Bug vs Japanese Giant Water Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Alpine Plant Bug Japanese Giant Water Bug
Scientific Name Lygus punctatus Lethocerus deyrolli
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Miridae Belostomatidae
Size 4-6 mm body length 48-65 mm
Habitat Mountains Ponds & Lakes
Diet Seed Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, Alps, Northern Asia East Asia, Japan
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Alpine Plant Bug

A small, variable plant bug found on alpine flowers and herbs. It feeds on plant sap and developing seeds.

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Did You Know?

It can change color depending on the flowers it feeds upon.

Japanese Giant Water Bug

Known as 'ta-garame' in Japanese, this is one of Japan's largest aquatic insects. A fearsome ambush predator that can catch small fish and frogs. Has declined dramatically due to habitat loss.

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Did You Know?

Males of this species guard the eggs, which the female glues to emergent vegetation above water, by periodically climbing up to moisten them.