Lethocerus maximus

{{Short description|Species of true bug}} {{Speciesbox | genus = Lethocerus | species = maximus | image = Lethocerus maximus 134.jpg | authority = De Carlo, 1938<ref name=ALPHA>{{Cite GBIF|id=9253860|taxon=''Lethocerus maximus'' De Carlo, 1938|access-date=2026-02-01}}</ref> | synonyms = * '''''Lethocerus paraensis''''' <small>Lanzer-de-Souza, 1991</small> | synonyms_ref = <ref name=ALPHA/><ref name=BETA>{{Catalogue of Life|id=722N2|title=''Lethocerus maximus'' De Carlo, 1938|access-date=1 February 2026}}</ref> }}

'''''Lethocerus maximus''''' is a species of giant water bug in the genus ''Lethocerus''.<ref name=ALPHA/> It is native to South America, but can also be found in the Caribbean.<ref name=BETA/>

It and the related ''L. grandis'' are the largest true bugs in the world, with ''L. maximus'' reaching lengths of up to {{convert|11.5|cm|in|2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=CHARLIE>{{cite web |title=Largest aquatic insect |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-insect-aquatic |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=1 February 2026 |language=en}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Commons category-inline}}

Category:Insects described in 1938 Category:Belostomatidae Category:Insects of the Caribbean Category:Insects of South America