On the surface of puddles, rivers and other bodies of water you can see insects that quickly slide along the very surface on long paws. This - water bugs, a whole group belonging to the order of bugs.
They are safe for people, but it is not recommended to touch them, as they will defend themselves with quite painful bites. The bugs feed on small insects, and large individuals feed on fish, some of the subspecies can fly. However, they do this solely for the sake of changing their habitat.
Water bug
The family of water bugs includes six varieties, and not similar to each other. They have body size from 2 mm to 12 cm. They lead exclusively watery lifestyle, and all are predators. The most famous water bugs are the water strider and the smooth.
Waterman
Exists about 700 species of water strider bugs, which differ from each other in color and size. This insect has a long, elongated body, which can be from 1 mm to 3 cm. Three pairs of legs depart from it. Front - short, needed to capture production and control the speed of movement. Middle and hind legs are used for movement and have a length of 1.5-2 times largethan the body water strider.
Why do waterman bugs not drown, and run on the surface of the water? Insects are kept on the surface of the water due to the force of its tension. On the head of the bug there are special antennae that can catch even the weakest vibrations of the water surface. The oral apparatus is piercing-sucking, and is used to suck the contents of the victim.
Water striders lay eggs on the leaves and stems of water plants. Sometimes they are single, but usually groups of 40-50 pieces. The larva looks like an adult, but differs in a small barrel-shaped body and small size.
A water striker settles in reservoirs with stagnant water or rivers with very little current.
Who eats the water strider bugs and what does it eat? He can ambush at the very edge of the water. It feeds on invertebrates, insects, fish fry. Thanks to the large eyes, the water strider is able to notice the prey from a distance and attack it with her proboscis. They themselves become food for large fish.
Photo water strider
Next, you will see pictures of the water strider bugs:
Bed bug
The bug has a smooth sleek body, thanks to which the insect got its name. The back pair of legs in many ways exceeds the dimensions of the others, and is used as “paddles” when moving through water.
Gladysh loves standing ponds, but very often settles in any puddle or even a barrel with water. He can make long flights only at night to find a new place with food. Like all the other bugs, the smooth one has a piercing-sucking mouth apparatus, with which it pierces the body of the victim and sucks out the nutrients.
What is the bug of a sleek bird and its respiratory organ? In the water, the insect turns its belly upside down, sliding along it on a smooth shell. In this position, smooth skin breathes simple atmospheric air, which receives through special openings located in the back of the abdomen. During diving, the insect gathers the necessary air supply, after which they are closed with special plates.
Smooth prey on insects or small fish. At the same time, it may itself be prey of fish or birds. However, nature has provided protection from these predators - his back is light and his belly is dark.
Bedbug is laying eggs on the bottom or underwater part of plants. After 2 weeks, larvae appear from them, similar to adults, but lighter.
Gladysh does not attack the person, and usually at a meeting with him pretends to be dead or throws out the odorous protective liquid. However, when you try to take it in hand, you can get a painful bite that will hurt for a very long time, and sometimes even fester.
Water bugs are a whole family that lives exclusively in stagnant bodies of water or rivers with a weak current. They are predators, have piercing-sucking apparatus, with the help of which it sucks the juices from the victim. Some species have wings with which they can fly to find a new place of residence. Water bugs do not attack people but can sting for protection by inflicting painful bites. The most famous are the strider and smooth.
Photo of water bugs
Next you will see a photo of a giant water bug:
