Subject: unknown bug
Location: wigan,uk
April 26, 2014 4:41 am
hi, i would like to know if you could help me identify this bug/insect. it was found in my partners car, 3 weeks before this was found i started getting a lot of bites on my legs. i would really appreciate it if you could please help me to understand what it is as i have 2 children ages 2 and 4. thanks.
Signature: mel furda
Dear Mel,
This is a Backswimmer in the family Notonectidae, a group of aquatic insects that are capable of flying from pond to pond. They are sometimes attracted to lights. Backswimmers do have a painful bite, and they are sometimes called Water Wasps, but we doubt it is responsible for the bites you have gotten on your legs. Backswimmers will only bite if threatened, carelessly handled, or accidentally encountered while swimming. They do not leave the water to attack people. Look on UK Wildlife for some images of Backswimmers, which get their common name because they do swim on their backs.
Hi Daniel thank you for getting back in touch I can now put my mind to rest. Thanks Mel