May 26, 2011

More Food Chain Disrespect

You may recall a bit earlier I introduced you to the Giant Centipede, which doesn't follow normal food-chain conventions, given that a large portion of its diet are bats that it catches in flight. Today, I'll be giving you some new nightmares, with another bug that eats above it's station - the Giant Water Bug.

Now, Water Bugs like this are known to take small vertebrates (frogs and fish) for dinner, but the Giant Water Bug, Kirkaldyia deyrolli, from Japan sets its sights a bit higher.

Yes, it's eating a turtle. According to the researcher who photographed it, this particular specimen was about 6 cm long, less than half their maximum size of 15 cm. After catching it, as the bugs only catch live (or at least moving) prey, the Water Bug "insert[ed] its syringe-like rostrum into the prey's neck in order to feed." Again, not the proper order for the food chain. Similar species live across North and South America, as well as East Asia. They're nocturnal, can fly, and have a venomous bite. They have been know to bite humans, causing pain for several hours. Anyway, here's another one, this time eating a snake.


Thanks to the BBC for information and pictures.

Tkrausse
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10 comments:

  1. The Forest MinstrelMay 26, 2011

    Well, someone's just going to have to sing me to sleep tonight! (ew, ick and YUCK!)

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  2. One Woman's ThoughtsMay 26, 2011

    I find your posts educational, interesting, extremely fascinating and very creepy.

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  3. AlbertonykusMay 26, 2011

    I knew about bat-eating centipedes, but not turtle-and-snake-eating water bugs. Impressive!

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  4. AnonymousMay 27, 2011

    That is just hideous.

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  5. tim eiseleMay 27, 2011

    I don't know as I'd call it a "venomous" bite - it's more like an internal acid burn.

    And even in North America, they are more than happy to go after the little fishies - here's some pictures my wife took of one in Michigan, eating a goldfish:

    http://somethingscrawlinginmyhair.com/2009/05/30/giant-water-bug/

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  6. bdwilcoxMay 27, 2011

    They eat these things in Asian cuisine and you can even get them in a can.

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  7. bdwilcoxMay 27, 2011

    Here ya' go!
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamvandenberg/34069472/

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  8. ashirwaad-holiday-apts-goaMay 31, 2011

    It's really amazing. I don't know how it does that.
    Cheap accommodation in Goa

    ReplyDelete
  9. research paper buyJune 07, 2011

    Centipede eating a tortoise??? Oh my God! It's mutant!! )))

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hort LogJuly 05, 2011

    Scary .... but I love this ! I hope it likes slugs and snails too....having an infestation right now !

    ReplyDelete

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