Why are giant water bugs sometimes called toe biters?

Giant water bugs, which belong to the family Belostomatidae within the order Heteroptera, are sometimes referred to as "toe biters" because they are large aquatic insects known to attack bathers.12

These insects are predatory and possess front legs adapted for grasping prey, which include insects, tadpoles, snails, and small fish. When humans encounter them in the water, the bugs are capable of inflicting a bite that is considered quite painful. The term "toe biter" is a common name used to describe several large aquatic insects, including those in the families Belostomatidae and Nepidae, that may bite people who are swimming or wading in their habitats.231