1. Captive Care of Abedus herberti
The Ferocious Water Bug
INTRODUCTION
The Genus Abedus contains 10 species ranging from the Southern United states to Panama, with Abedus herberti predominantly populating Arizona. They inhabit clear, slow
moving, freshwater streams and rivers, particularly those with an abundance of both aquatic and bordering vegetation that provide an array of prey species.
Captive specimens of this species are mostly wild caught, with only few zoological collections breeding and displaying them. Although these insects are not currently under any
threat in the wild, it is important to promote efforts for captive breeding for both education and its future conservation.
TANK DESIGN AND FILTRATION
In captivity Abedus herberti should be maintained using two separate tanks—one for the adults and another for the nymphs.
Both tanks should have circulation and aeration of the water, together with biological filtration such as a small canister or
sponge filter.
Adults— approximately 230L tank should be kept at around 25-26ºC with the tank furnished with a course gravel bottom,
rocks and branches for perching and also aquatic plants. The water level ideally should be maintained at around 1/2 to 3/4
of the total volume and would comfortably house around 30 adults.
Nymphs—approximately 130-180L aquarium should be kept at around 25ºC and furnished with floating cork bark and
plastic plants.
FEEDING AND MAINTENANCE
A.herberti like many other water bugs are sedentary or ambush hunters. It is thought
that prey detection is reliant solely on movement and water –borne vibrations,
however captive observations have indicated that olfactory cues may also play an
important role (R.C Morgan)
Both adults and nymphs will feed on a variety of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates
as well as aquatic vertebrates such as tadpoles and small fish.
Current captive diets consists of locusts, crickets, mealworms, fruit flies and river
shrimp. It is important to offer a variety of food types to ensure successful
development. All food types can be offered live, however frozen food items are readily
taken so long as it is within the bugs grasp.
In our experience, both at The Deep and Bugs! ZSL Nymphs have been seen to
readily feed on frozen chopped mealworm, micro-crickets fruit flies and daphnia. Little
or no interest has been shown when bloodworm has been offered.
The adult tank should be spot cleaned daily to remove any uneaten food using a net
or small siphon hose. A 50% water change is carried out once weekly, with the filter
being cleaned once a month, with the bio-media being rinsed in tank water.
The nymphal rearing tank requires daily cleaning to remove any uneaten food and
discarded moults. A 25% water change is carried out once daily.
Any water removed should be replaced by de-gassed tap water (tap water left
standing overnight).
REPRODUCTION AND BREEDING
GUIDELINES
 Males are responsible for all
postzygotic (egg) care.
 Successful courtship and oviposition
are a complicated process involving a
female approach, male-female
sparring and grasping and male
‘display pumping’ or ‘body rocking’.
 To ensure paternity, the male will only
allow the female to lay a few eggs on
his back after each mating.
 Males can carry between 100-150
eggs.
Once hatching has begun remove all hatched
nymphs from the adult tank to prevent
cannibalism.
Fortunately brooding males will show no
inclination to feed on his progeny and can
therefore be moved to the nymphal rearing tank
until hatching is competed.
On completion the male will shed the empty egg
cases, following this they should then be moved
back to the adult tank.
LIFE CYCLE
Collaboration with BUGS! ZSL London Zoo.
The Deep and BUGS! are working together to try and perfect the required conditions for both optimal captive breeding and the successful rearing of Abedus herberti. Here is a
brief summary of BUGS! husbandry guidelines that have been generated by Kate Pearce ZSL London Zoo:
Adult Abedus tank
Hatching and nymph rearing tank
Female Abedus herberti
Male Abedus herberti
carrying eggs
L3-4 Abedus herberti nymph
Adults
Temperature—24-27ºC
Feeding—feed 4-5 crickets once daily
Maintenance:
Daily—Check animals and note temperature, ensure filtration is working, remove all uneaten food
Weekly—water tests and 50% water change
Monthly—clean out Eheim external canister filter
Regularly—clean the sand and move males with eggs ready to hatch to rearing tanks
LOOK OUT FOR— Any nymphs already hatched and move to rearing tank. Check water level, should be approx
half full for public viewing.
Nymphs
Temperature—22-27ºC
Feeding—blowflies, daphnia, mosquito/glass worm and mayfly larvae hand feed from L3 upward
Maintenance:
Daily—check animals and record temperature, ensure filtration is working.
Weekly—water tests and 50% water change and clean sponge filters
Monthly—clean out external Eheim canister filters
Regularly—clean the sand and siphon waste from the bottom
LOOK OUT FOR—cannibalism, if there is a lot, add more food!
By Suzanne Edgell, Aquarist, The Deep, Hull
Reference: R.C Morgan, Giant Water Bug Abedus herberti (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) Natural History, Husbandry and Display
Egg Development:
approx 3 weeks at 18˚C
Five Nymphal Stages:
approx 8-10 weeks in total
Adult Lifespan:
approx 1 year