Currently viewing the tag: "Aquatic Bugs"
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Dragonfly Naiad

On · Category: Dragonflies and Damselflies Tagged With: · 2 Comments

Subject: Southern Oregon Bug
Location: Southern Oregon
May 20, 2013 8:58 pm
Hi,
We found this bug while playing in Lost Creek. It acts like it wants to sting with its tail and bite. Should we avoid this creek and bug? Thanks in advance..
Signature: Jerrod

Dragonfly Naiad

Dragonfly Naiad

Dear Jerrod,
This is the aquatic larva of a Dragonfly, known, like other aquatic larvae of flying insects, as a Naiad.  It will not sting and it will most likely not bite.  I has a highly specialized hinged mouth that expands and shoots out to snare prey while the naiad waits well camoflauged among the plants and aquatic debris.  Each species of Dragonfly, and there are many, has a distinctive looking Naiad, but alas we do not have the necessary skills to quickly identify your Naiad to the species level.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Damselfly Naiad

On · Category: Dragonflies and Damselflies Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: What’s the name of this bug?
Location: Southern Indiana
May 4, 2013 10:18 am
I just found this bug in the creek in by back yard. I would greatly appreciate it if u could identify it for me.
Signature: Haley

Damselfly Naiad

Damselfly Naiad

Hi Haley,
This is the aquatic nymph or naiad of a Damselfly, an insect that is in the same order as Dragonflies.  Damselfly Naiads can be recognized by their three lobed gills at the end of the abdomen.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Water Scorpion from Thailand

On · Category: Toe Biters and other Aquatic True Bugs Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Bug discovered in Koh Phangan
Location: Chaloklum, Koh Phangan, Thailand
May 2, 2013 8:52 am
Found this bug next to the pool, it was not frightened of water and used its two back legs to rub the water off its back. The two large pincers at the front were also used for walking.
Signature: Emma and Maz

Water Scorpion

Water Scorpion

Dear Emma and Maz,
We are thrilled to post your photo because we haven’t received an identification request for a Water Scorpion in quite some time.  Water Scorpions are aquatic True Bugs that reportedly have a very painful bite.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Water Tiger

On · Category: Water Beetles Tagged With: · 1 Comment

Subject: Water larvae
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
March 22, 2013 8:17 pm
My son and I found this bug in a vernal pool. I cannot figure out what it is, but I hope never to meet one in a dark alley at night. I have two pictures, one of the whole bug and one through a microscope that shows its formidable mandibles. We would be most grateful to know more about it.
Many thanks,
Laura
Signature: Laura B

Diving Beetle Larva

Diving Beetle Larva

Hi Laura,
This is the larva of an Aquatic Beetle, and we believe it is the larva of a Predaceous Diving Beetle in the family Dytiscidae.  Here is a photo from BugGuide that looks very similar.  We are sorry but we do not have the necessary skills to identify this to the species level.  We remember these larvae being called Water Tigers in an old aquarium book by Innes.

Head of a Water Tiger

Head of a Water Tiger

Daniel,
Thank you!  You are clearly the Patron Saint of creepy-crawlies and those who appreciate them!
With deepest admiration,
Laura

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Backswimmer

On · Category: Toe Biters and other Aquatic True Bugs Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Sry for another request but I like to know the critters I shoot are….
Location: Ypsilanti MI
February 18, 2013 12:59 pm
This water beetle was in my pool last summer 2011. It was really cool to watch dive under with its air bubble on its back…is this a diving beetle? :/
Signature: Rachel R

Backswimmer

Dear Rachel,
This is not a beetle, but rather, it is an aquatic True Bug, a Backswimmer, most likely in the genus Notonecta.  Because of the painful bite, they are commonly called Water Bees or Water Wasps according to BugGuide.

Im glad Im askin cus Ive been wrong twice now lol Thank you soo much for the info on my critter pics :) ) :) ) Great site for bug info:))

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Mosquite Larvae

On · Category: Mosquito Tagged With: · Add Comment

Backyard water larvae
Location:  Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA
November 9, 2012
Daniel,
I found these larvae in a kitty litter pan that had been left out in the rain a couple times. Any guesses?
Thanks,
Josh
(your neighbor in Highland Park)

Mosquito Larvae

Hi Josh,
You have Mosquito Larvae.  You should not keep standing water in your yard as Mosquitoes can multiply with amazing speed if conditions are right.  Cooler weather results in a slower maturity rate.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Backswimmer bites insect fan

On · Category: Toe Biters and other Aquatic True Bugs Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Too much of a good thing?
Location: Grand Island, Nebraska October 14, 2012
October 15, 2012 9:59 pm
Your wonderful website has fostered in me a curiosity about bugs that has been passed along to my daughters, ages 6 & 12. Unfortunately, in her enthusiasm to show me a new bug, my 12 year old brought this insect to me in her hand. It promptly bit/stung her and she dropped it into the sand where I took this picture. There were others in the area as well and they seemed to be quite adept at hopping. I’ve looked through pages and pages of flies but have been unable to find anything similar to this one. We have appreciated your help in the past and would love it if you would help us solve our latest mystery. Thanks!
Signature: Huskers Kim, Rachel & Emma

Backswimmer

Dear Huskers Kim, Rachel and Emma,
We hope this unfortunate incident has not cooled your family’s enthusiasm for the insect world.  This Backswimmer in the genus Notonecta is actually an aquatic insect that is capable of flying from one body of water to another.  According to BugGuide, Backswimmers are also called Water Bees or Water Wasps because of the painful bite.  Some information provided by BugGuide includes:  “Prey on other aquatic insects and sometimes on small vertebrates” and “May bite if handled carelessly.”

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Stonefly Naiad

On · Category: Stoneflies and Snowflies Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: What is This?
Location: Tracy, New Brunswick, Canada
August 13, 2012 2:26 pm
Good day Bugman.
I found this little guy in the bottom of a bucket at our camp on the weekend. Could you tell me what he is? It looks alien :)
Thanks
Signature: C. A. Brown

Stonefly Naiad

Dear C.A. Brown,
This is the Naiad of a Stonefly.  A Naiad is an aquatic larva that eventually becomes a winged adult.  We cannot tell you the exact family, but this Naiad somewhat resembles this Common Stonefly Naiad from BugGuide.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination