Water Bugs

These are all known as "true bugs", as opposed to beetles, flies, ants, etc. Both the larval and adult stages are aquatic, although only the adult stages are shown here. All may be found swimming or clinging to underwater plants and must surface to breathe. All are also strong fliers that are attracted to lights at night and have a painful and poisonous bite. Giant Water Bugs are known to feed on small fishes.

Water Boatman

Water Boatman
Arctocorixia interrupta
to 1"

extremely common


Water Strider

Water Strider
Gerris marginatus
to 1"

Skims along on surface of water. Flies well, but does not dive.



Water Scorpion

Water Scorpion
Ranatra fusca
to 2.5"

Not a true scorpion, but has a very painful bite.




Giant Water Bug

Giant Water Bug
Lethocerus americanus
to 3"




Backswimmer

Backswimmer
Lethocerus americanus
to 1/2"


There aren't too many options for freshwater diving around here. That's not to say that you can't try jumping into any body of water you find, but most of them are likely to be pretty awful, and a few could get you arrested. Two good freshwater dives in the region are Round Valley Reservoir and the Delaware River Water Gap. Some diving is also done in Lake Hopatcong, although access is a problem.

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