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NO. 043Giant water bug illustrationIllustration · not shown at life size

True bugs / Insect

Giant water bug

Lethocerus spp. · genus group

AdultA special find

Grabbing front legs and swimming back legs belong to this pond hunter. Look without picking it up.

Let’s look closer

Little clues

Three things to notice.

  1. Grasping front legs.

  2. Flattened swimming legs.

  3. Large individuals can eat tadpoles.

Out in the world

Where to look.

Around southeastern Wisconsin

Ponds and occasional lights.

When to look

Look in freshwater habitats. Adults sometimes fly to lights at night.

Look without touching. Giant water bugs can bite.

A closer look

One clue is just the start.

This is a true bug that lives in water. Look without handling it: its strong beak can give a painful bite.

A special find can be hard to spot without being biologically rare. Encounters depend on season and habitat.

Keep exploring

Meet the neighbors.

For curious grownups, too

Read a little further.

Original summaries, with references for deeper reading.

Make a creature disc

Artwork & downloads.

Drag a PNG image into xTool Studio, or use its download button. Images use the full-resolution files.

  • Giant water bug — Transparent front PNG

    Transparent front PNG

    76.2 mm canvas · white-outlined labels on a clear background

    043-front.png
    1800 × 1800 px

    Download PNG
  • Giant water bug — Relief depth PNG — prototype

    Relief depth PNG — prototype

    Matches this front · dark lettering 0.5 mm, outline 0.1 mm at 1 mm maximum

    043-height-disc.png
    1800 × 1800 px

    Download PNG
  • Giant water bug — Original artwork

    Original artwork

    Unmodified source PNG

    043-giant-water-bug.png
    1254 × 1254 px

    Download PNG

  • Editable front SVG

    Common & scientific names · finding clue · editable labels

    043-front.svg

    Download SVG

Front artwork is made for a 3-inch clear disc. Revised artwork still needs a physical check. Disc backs are blank; use the single carrier QR from the print studio to open the field guide.

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