Often feared and respected for its powerful bite, the giant water bug, scientifically known as Lethocerus americanus, is a formidable insect predator of North American wetlands. With its large, flat, brownish body, a fearsome grasping foreleg, and its ability to inflict a painful bite, this aquatic hunter is a master of ambush and a crucial part of its ecosystem. Known by many common names, including “toe-biter” and “electric-light bug,” its presence is a testament to the raw power of nature found just below the water’s surface.