Lethocerus maximus

Lethocerus maximus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Belostomatidae
Genus: Lethocerus
Species:
L. maximus
Binomial name
Lethocerus maximus
De Carlo, 1938[1]
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Lethocerus paraensis Lanzer-de-Souza, 1991

Lethocerus maximus is a species of giant water bug in the genus Lethocerus.[1] It is native to South America, but can also be found in the Caribbean.[2]

It and the related L. grandis are the largest true bugs in the world, with L. maximus reaching lengths of up to 11.5 cm (4.53 in).[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Lethocerus maximus De Carlo, 1938". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  2. ^ a b "Lethocerus maximus De Carlo, 1938". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Largest aquatic insect". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  • Media related to Lethocerus maximus at Wikimedia Commons