Giant Water Bug vs Greater Arid-Land Katydid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Water Bug | Greater Arid-Land Katydid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lethocerus americanus | Neobarrettia spinosa |
| Order | Hemiptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Belostomatidae | Tettigoniidae |
| Size | 50-65 mm | 50-65 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Southern United States, Northern Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Giant Water Bug
One of the largest true bugs. Powerful predator that catches fish, frogs, and even small snakes. Males carry eggs on their backs until hatching. Known as "toe-biters."
Did You Know?
Giant water bugs are devoted fathers — males carry up to 100 eggs on their backs for weeks, regularly doing push-ups at the water surface to keep eggs oxygenated.
Greater Arid-Land Katydid
A large, aggressive predatory katydid from the American Southwest with powerful spiny legs. It is one of the most voracious katydid predators in North America.
Did You Know?
It can bite hard enough to draw blood and will readily attack insects larger than itself.