Belostoma Giant Water Bug vs Neotropical Shield Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Belostoma Giant Water Bug | Neotropical Shield Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Belostoma flumineum | Edessa meditabunda |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Belostomatidae | Pentatomidae |
| Size | 18-25 mm | 12-17 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Belostoma Giant Water Bug
A medium-sized, oval giant water bug found across North America. Males carry eggs cemented to their backs by females until hatching. It is a common inhabitant of ponds and vegetated lake margins.
Did You Know?
If a female tries to mate with a male already carrying eggs, she will systematically destroy the existing eggs first to make room for her own clutch.
Neotropical Shield Bug
A medium-sized green and brown shield-shaped stink bug common in South American agriculture. It is an important pest of soybeans and other legumes.
Did You Know?
When disturbed, it releases aldehydes from thoracic glands that smell strongly of cilantro to repel attackers.