Water Bugs ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Water Bugs

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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
Arctocorixia interrupta
to 1"

extremely common

Water Strider
Gerris marginatus
to 1"

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

Water Scorpion
Ranatra fusca
to 2.5"

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

Giant Water Bug
Lethocerus americanus
to 3"

Backswimmer
Lethocerus americanus
to 1/2"

Insects

Insects are almost completely lacking in the marine environment. I recall something about saltwater having a very bad effect on their lungless respiratory system ( although this does not affect spiders. ) Insects are quite common in freshwater environments though, both as larvae and adults. A little digging can turn up myriad types, but be careful, some of them can bite very painfully.

More: Insects ...

Water Bugs

Insects

Little Skate