Subject: Toad Bug, Family Gelastocoridae, Gelastocoris oculatus

Location: Upshur County, West Virginia

Stock Number: 5525

Comment: These bugs often carry around mud or pebbles on their backs, helping them blend in with the substrate. Like the good West Virginian that he is, this bug is carrying a sliver of coal along with him.

These bugs hop like toads. Like toads, they like moist areas.

In the United States there are only two species in the genus. Gelastocoris rotundatus is found only in the southwestern U.S., while Gelastocoris oculatus has a much broader distribution.