One of the 50 bugs that look like cockroaches is the giant water bugs of the order Heteroptera and the family Belostomatidae. These aquatic insects play an important role as bioindicators, predators, and biocontrol agents of mosquito larvae and snails. In addition, these aquatic insects are also an important food source for many organisms, including fish, amphibians, waterfowl, and juvenile crocodiles.
The giant water flea species are mostly generalist predators that usually hunt at night. These insects prey on a wide variety of aquatic animals such as snails, insects, fish, frogs, and even turtles. But their bite is harmless to humans and does not carry any disease or cause major injury. In some places in Asia, such as Thailand and Vietnam, people eat these insects as one of the main dishes.
Giant water bugs are also called electric-light bugs because they are attracted to light sources at night. Giant water bugs or giant water beetles are aquatic insects that have habitats in various parts of the world, especially in tropical climates. However, some species also live in colder climates, such as in North America and East Asia, where some species can grow to more than 12 cm.
This insect with the scientific name Lethocerus deyrollei is the largest insect in the order Heteroptera. Heteroptera is a sub-order of the order hemiptera (true ladybugs). This insect is a type of ladybug insect, although many call it the crocodile flea.
One of the most interesting facts is the role of male insects in caring for their young. Male insects have the role of caring for their young. They will carry the eggs on their backs and then lay them on the plants. Another interesting thing is that the male insects will not mate until the eggs hatch.
Another unique thing is that female insect have a role in finding a mate. Even females fight each other for the male when carrying eggs. On the other hand, this insect seems to have a back full of small holes, this causes many people to think that this insect can cause holes in human skin if it is bitten.
The Difference Between Roaches and Giant Water Bugs
The most obvious difference between these two types of insects lies in the color, size, and shape of the antennae. Even though they both have a flat body shape, they have different colors. Giant water bugs are usually gray or brown in color. Meanwhile, in general, cockroaches are usually brownish or reddish in color. In other species such as the oriental cockroach, this insect is much darker in color.
Another difference lies in the size. Giant water bugs are usually about 2 inches long. Meanwhile, cockroaches can be smaller or larger depending on the type when compared. If you find an insect that looks like a cockroach in your home, try to see if the insect has antennae-like those of a cockroach.
Identifying the shape of the antennae is an important thing to keep in mind when trying to figure out what kind of insects are actually crawling around your home. In this regard, the main difference between giant water bugs and cockroaches is the shape of their antennae. The shape of the two is very different.
Cockroaches, regardless of type, usually have very long and small antennae. Sometimes a cockroach’s antennae can be thinner than a needle or thread. Also, you usually can’t see the cockroach’s head clearly. This is because the cockroach’s head is located under the chest, where the cockroach’s legs and wings attach.
Meanwhile, giant water bugs have antennae that are rather thick and curved, or maybe it can’t be categorized as an antenna. What is clear, giant water bugs do not have antennae like those of cockroaches. The appearance of their head shape is completely different.
In addition, there are also two types of insects that both have wings and can fly. So, the easiest way to tell the difference is to look at the shape of the head. However, it is very rare for us to think of cockroaches as giant water bugs.
Fake News about Abedus Indentatus
In 2015 there was hoax news that went viral and spread about this insect. At that time there were rumors circulating that the bite of this insect was capable of causing wounds with many holes in the human body. This is related to trypophobia, which is a fear of small holes in the human body.
At that time there were some people who had fun by using photos of insects from the Abedus indentatus species. The insect was then known as the Giant Water Bug from the family Belostomatidae. Although this insect is widely found in North America, South America, Northern Australia, and East Asia, the lack of knowledge makes people believe in this horrendous prank.
This happened because these pranksters uploaded photos of male insects carrying female insect eggs to avoid predator attacks. It is they write that the insect is capable of perforating the human body and is dangerous.
Unfortunately, this was immediately denied by experts who stated that the bite of this insect is painful but not harmful to humans. Even though when carrying these insect eggs it is like having a back full of small holes, they are not able to make the human body also have holes.