Watch your step near lakes, rivers, or ponds—Canada’s biggest aquatic insect, the giant water bug, can cause “excruciating” pain. Found across Ontario, these flat, oval-shaped bugs grow up to 6 cm long. Known as toe-biters, they trap oxygen bubbles under their wings and prey on snails, crayfish, tadpoles, small fish, and frogs using their strong front legs like a praying mantis.
Canada’s ‘toe-biter’ insect causes excruciating pain — spotted recently in Ontario. Stay alert!
