Japanese Giant Water Bug vs Puritan Tiger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Giant Water Bug | Puritan Tiger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lethocerus deyrolli | Cicindela puritana |
| Order | Hemiptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Belostomatidae | Cicindelidae |
| Size | 48-65 mm | 11-14mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan | North America |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Endangered |
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.
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.
Puritan Tiger Beetle
A bronze-green tiger beetle with white markings found only on sandy riverbanks and beaches. It is one of the rarest insects in North America.
Did You Know?
It exists in only two known populations in Massachusetts and Connecticut making it a focus of intense conservation efforts.