Giant Water Bug - Toe-Biter - Alligator Tick - Belostomatidae

This is a giant water bug found in Florida (although they can be found worldwide), also known as a "toe-biter" or "alligator tick" from the Belostomatidae family of insects. They are usually found in freshwater streams and ponds. They are a predator to aquatic crustaceans, fish and amphibians, and they are known to play dead, as they wait for their victims to come near. Then they strike, injecting a powerful digestive saliva with their rostrum, and suck out the liquified remains. Their bite is one of the most painful that can be given by an insect.