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Glite Dictionary
Belostomatidae

Belostomatidae

9.9
A large water bug that lives in ponds and gives a painful bite
  • noun
  • /bɛloʊstəˈmætɪdeɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Belostomatidae
  • The Belostomatidae can deliver a painful bite, making them notorious among anglers.

Examples

  • Giant water bugs (Family Belostomatidae).

    Academic text (1993)

  • Many people are surprised to learn that the Belostomatidae, also known as toe-biters, are excellent predators in freshwater ecosystems.

  • When swimming in the lake, I spotted a Belostomatidae lurking near the shore.

Synonyms

giant water bug
vsBelostomatidae
6.8

A large water insect that eats small fish and other water animals

is the scientific family name covering those common freshwater predators

Surface Forms

Belostomatidae singular
Belostomatids plural

Etymology

Belostomatidae comes from Greek parts belo ('dart' or 'arrow') and stoma ('mouth'), and the ending -idae means a family. So the name is like 'dart-mouth' because these large water bugs have a long, sharp beak like an arrow and are known for a painful bite.