THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands |
Identify taxa Jointed legsSix legsHemipteraUncommon in wetlands Gelastocoridae |
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Gelastocoridae (toad bugs) |
The name toad bug comes from the warty appearance and large bulging eyes of these shore dwellers. They mostly live on wet sand or mud along the margins of water bodies. They are similar to the velvet water bugs, but the front legs are raptorial and differ in appearance from the other legs. The antennae are short and not readily visible. The hind legs have claws, and the abdomen lacks breathing tubes. |
Size: medium Identifying feature(s): raptorial front legs, large bulging eyes Habitat: margins of still water Tolerance to pollutants: unknown |
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