What Are the Types of Water Bugs?

Water bugs are the aquatic members of the scientific category of insects called "true bugs." They do not have gills, but carry their own oxygen supply below the surface of the water in the form of bubbles or a shell of air trapped in their minute hairs. Except for the Water Boatman, all water bugs are carnivorous and feed on small insects and fish. They make perfect food for larger fish and birds and are crucial to the ecosystems of ponds and streams.

  1. Water Strider

    • Water Striders are characterized by long legs--sometimes twice the length of the body--that they use to gracefully skate on the surface of the water. Their feet make slight dimples in the surface that help them detect small vibrations in the water. They eat insects that fall helplessly into the water and make easy food for birds and fish since they can't sense motion above or below the surface.

    Water Boatman

    • The only vegetarian water bug, the Water Boatman spends much of its time at the bottom of ponds or lakes, feeding on aquatic plants. It injects saliva into the plant with a long feeding tube and sucks up the digested remains. Water Boatmen get their name for their hairy hind legs, which are flattened into the shape of oars for excellent swimming. This group of insects includes over 500 species.

    Water Scorpion

    • The Water Scorpion's name comes from its strong forelimbs that are designed for grasping (much like the land scorpion's pincers), and its elongated breathing tube that resembles a scorpion's tail. These are carnivorous insects that grasp their prey with their front pincers and suck out their body fluids. They often lurk beneath the surface or walk slowly on aquatic plants, searching for small crustaceans or insects to eat.

    Back Swimmer

    • Back Swimmers often swim upside near the surface of the water. They have very large eyes, which cover most of their head, and they use their hairy hind legs to paddle. They are generally small (about 2cm) and have been known to leave painful bites on humans. Usually found in still freshwater, they prey on aquatic larvae and bloodworms.

    Giant Water Bug

    • Also called the Electric Light Bug for its inclination toward electric lights, the Giant Water Bug is flat-bodied and may reach up to 2 inches in length. They are ambush hunters, often lying motionlessly in wait for prey to pass by. The grab the insect or minnow with their powerful front legs and jab their pointy beak into the abdomen. They then secrete enzymes that liquefy the insides of their prey.