Smooth water bug, scorpion water bug, belostom bug and other types of "divers bugs"

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The water bug is a predatory insect, but it does not pose any danger to humans. Most of their life passes in the water - there they are born, feed and reproduce.

Water bugs: a general description

These are insects from the order Hemiptera. The detachment unites several dozen species, but 5 of them are the most common. They can fly, but rarely use wings.

Lifestyle and habitat of water bugs

Most representatives of this order, except for water striders, live at the depth of water bodies.

BreathTheir respiratory system is not adapted to absorb oxygen from water, so they float to the surface to breathe air and fill a special organ with them - air sacs.
Living ConditionsThe vast majority of water bugs live in fresh water, but there are those who have adapted to life in salty sea water.
Protective mechanismInsects have developed a specific defense mechanism against natural enemies. When they see danger, they pretend to be dead.
Repellent scentIf this does not stop the enemy, they release an odorous substance - another insect or animal perceives this as the presence of poison.
Unusual swimmingBed bugs have a special swimming style, due to this they are not noticed by predatory fish: they spread their limbs to the sides and move smoothly through the water with the help of fins.
ColorThe body of the insect is painted in the tone of water, so it cannot be seen from the depths. Thanks to this method of movement and disguise, the bugs are able to sneak up on their victims, who live in the upper layer of water.

What do water bugs eat

Smaller species feed on insects that are even smaller. Larger insects wait for their prey, hiding in a shelter.

Their diet is varied: caviar of fish and amphibians, larvae, and other insects. They often fight for prey, and in the absence of food, they show cannibalism.

The oral apparatus of water bugs is of a piercing-suction type, so they are not able to gnaw or completely absorb food. Most species inject poison into the body of the victim, which paralyzes its movements.

Water bugs.

Reproduction of water bugs and care for offspring

The breeding season is in the spring. The fertilized female lays eggs on the elytra of the male and fixes them with a special sticky secret. The size of the "dad" allows you to fix about 100 eggs on his body.
The protection of the embryos is carried out exclusively by the male: until the larvae are born and are able to leave the parent, he leads a sedentary lifestyle. At the end of this period, it is too difficult for the male to move around, which is why he may stop eating. The embryonic period lasts about 2 weeks.
The hatched larvae are almost transparent, their bodies are very soft, but after a few hours they harden and acquire a brown tint. After that, young individuals begin to actively feed. Before becoming an imago (adult), they go through several molts.

Where Water Bugs Found: Insect Habitat

You can meet them in any regions and climatic conditions. They live in any bodies of water with stagnant water - it can be ponds, lakes and even puddles. Some species live in tanks to collect rainwater. They spend the winter in the thickets of reservoirs, on the muddy bottom or come out on land.

giant water bug interesting insect

Water bugs: common types

As mentioned above, several types of such insects are common.

Bedbug water strider
The body shape of the water strider is thin and strongly retracted. Like most insect species, they have 3 pairs of limbs. The hind pairs of legs are longer and are used for propulsion on water. Due to its low weight and large area of ​​support, the water strider does not damage the surface tension film of the liquid during movement, that is, it simply slides over the water. The forelimbs serve to hold food. The insect feeds on smaller inhabitants of water bodies that have surfaced, as well as other microscopic inhabitants of the water. They do not dive to depth, they spend most of their lives on the surface. Food is often not enough, therefore, in search of it, water striders are able to travel considerable distances. They are also able to fly, but wings are used only in extreme situations. Water striders have excellent adaptive abilities and, when the reservoir dries up, they are able to live on land for some time.
water bug smooth
The smooth bug is distinguished by its body shape and uses a very unusual way of moving through the water. Its body outwardly resembles a boat, and the original behavior further enhances the resemblance to a ship: in order to move on the surface of the water, the insect turns its belly up and rows its limbs, as if with oars. This position of the body during swimming allows it to remain unnoticed by birds. Gladysh has developed organs of vision: moving, he looks at the surface of the water with big eyes in search of a victim and, seeing her, immediately rushes to her. The victims of the insect are small underwater inhabitants and their larvae. The bug is able to stay under water for a long time - this is helped by an air film that rests on the hairs covering the entire body. Also smooth has well-developed wings and is able to fly over long distances in search of a habitat richer in food. Smoothies are very interested in light, in the dark they get close to sources of artificial lighting. Another feature of this species is that they make sounds reminiscent of the chirping of a grasshopper.
Water bug rower striaty
Outwardly, the rower is similar to the species described above, but uses the typical insect method for movement - with its back up. There are 2 powerful legs on the body, ending in cilia - they are used for rowing through the water. Under the wings there is a large air bubble - thanks to it, the insect can stay on the surface of the water for a long time. The rower is similar to the earthly "brothers" in the presence of odorous glands - they serve to scare away enemies and attract the opposite sex. Another feature of this species is the ability to make specific sounds by rubbing the forelimbs against the proboscis.
Giant water bug belostoma
Belostoma is indeed a real giant among the representatives of the family - its body length reaches 10 cm. It lives mainly in South Asia, but is also found in the Far East. Prefers shallow, warm waters. Often their victims are creatures larger than themselves in size - frogs, larger insects, turtles and small fish. The forelimbs are well-developed claws, thanks to which the belostomy firmly holds food, paralyzing it with poison. Prefers to hunt at night.
Water Scorpion Ranatra
Ranatra looks like a twig due to its very thin body. The forelimbs perform a respiratory function. Despite the long legs, the bug moves very poorly and in a very peculiar way - holding onto aquatic plants with its limbs. It preys on small arthropods and insects, and does so even if it does not feel hungry. Interestingly, the ranata never lives in polluted water bodies, and its presence can be used to judge the purity of the water.

Water bugs and their role in nature

Insects are an integral part of the food chain - they are food for other species and themselves eat adults and larvae of harmful insects, such as mosquitoes, thereby reducing their population. Harm from bedbugs can only be in cases where they completely filled the reservoir and destroyed all its other inhabitants. In other cases, there is no need to intervene in the eco-system.

In addition, smoothies are used as food in Asian cuisine and for local residents it is considered a delicacy, and in Mexico they eat their eggs.

Are water bugs dangerous to humans?

Insects are not dangerous to humans, but only if they are not touched. They will never attack such a large prey, but in an attempt to defend themselves from danger, they can go on the attack - if they accidentally press or step on it, they can sting. Most often, children suffer from a water bug bite, as an unusual insect arouses their interest and the child may try to catch it with his hands.

Water bugs only bite when threatened.

The danger of a water bug bite and its consequences

The bite of these insects is impossible not to notice - it feels similar to the bite of a bee or wasp. During the bite, they inject some poison, but it is not capable of causing serious harm to health: it will cause swelling, burning, and possibly an allergic reaction. The irritation from the bite goes away in about a week. The poison of tropical water bugs is more irritating, however, it is not fatal to humans.

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