About Lethocerus insulanus (Montandon, 1898)
Lethocerus insulanus is a large insect and one of the largest species in the belostomatid family. Adult individuals typically measure 50–70 mm (2.0–2.8 in) in length, and it is the largest true bug species native to Australia. When hunting underwater, this species uses a posterior syphon as a snorkel to breathe. It is an ambush predator that preys on fish, reptiles, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates, and spends most of its time completely motionless within the water column. L. insulanus has functional wings and will readily fly to mate or locate new habitats. Lethocerus insulanus occurs in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia. In Australia, its distribution closely matches tropical and humid subtropical climate zones, covering coastal and subcoastal Queensland and New South Wales, as well as most of the Northern Territory. It is not found in southern regions of the Australian continent, including all of Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. It lives in still freshwater bodies such as lakes, and can also be found in floodwaters.
