Suborder Heteroptera Order True bugs | Rank Genus | |
 | ||
Similar True bugs, Laccotrephes japonensis, Nepidae, Laccotrephes pfeiferiae, Diplonychus rusticus | ||
laccotrephes japonensis
Laccotrephes is a genus of water scorpion belonging to the family Nepidae. They are carnivorous insects that hunt near the water surface. They are not aggressive, but may inflict a painful bite if not handled carefully, which may cause a local reaction.
Contents
laccotrephes japonensis
Anatomy
They are dark brown to rufous brown, elongate and flattened, aquatic insects with hooked raptorial forelegs and a long, thin tube (or siphon) protruding from the tip of the abdomen. The respiratory siphon consists of two filaments which are extensions of the eighth abdominal tergum. These in unison form an air duct which takes in air from above the water surface. Air is fed via the tracheal system and spiracles on the dorsum of the first abdominal segment to an air store under the elytra.
Populations
The genus contains two distinguishable assemblages, with respectively Afrotropical and Indomalayan-Australasian centers of diversity. The two assemblages overlap only in Iran. Morphology of the male paramere is important in distinguishing species.