See text Lethocerus is a genus of the hemipteran family Belostomatidae, known colloquially as giant water bugs, toe biters and electric light bugs, distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas of the world.

[2] It includes the largest true bugs with species capable of reaching a length of over 12 centimetres (4.7 in).

Unlike giant water bugs in the subfamily Belostomatinae, females do not lay the eggs on the backs of males.

[6] Like other members of the giant water bug family, Lethocerus species are predators that overpower prey by stabbing it with the rostrum and injecting a saliva that includes a number of enzymes that break down proteins.

[11] In addition to these, Lethocerus deyrollei, which is one of the best known giant water bugs, has traditionally been included in this genus, but in 2006 it was moved to Kirkaldyia.