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toad bug
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Toad bug (Gelastocoris oculatus) Illustration showing twelve types of heteropteran insects, each labeled: coreid bug, plant bug, bedbug, stinkbug, lace bug, backswimmer, termite bug, water scorpion, water strider, toad bug, and bat bug, highlighting their diverse shapes and colors.
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Toad bug (Gelastocoris oculatus)
Toad bug (Gelastocoris oculatus)

toad bug

insect
Also known as: Gelastocoridae
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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toad bug, (family Gelastocoridae), any of some 100 species of insects in the true bug order, Heteroptera, that resemble tiny frogs. They have short, broad bodies and protruding eyes and capture their prey by leaping upon it. Adults in this family are wingless.

Diversity among the heteropterans: (from left to right) lace bug, coreid bug, bat bug, stinkbug, termite bug, back swimmer, bedbug, water scorpion, water strider, toad bug, plant bug.
Diversity among the heteropterans: (from left to right) lace bug, coreid bug, bat bug, stinkbug, termite bug, back swimmer, bedbug, water scorpion, water strider, toad bug, plant bug.

Toad bugs are found in all zoogeographic regions living along the muddy edges of streams and ponds. Some species spend part of their lives in underground holes that they make. Their eggs have been found buried in sand. The colour of toad bugs varies, depending on the environment in which they live.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.