A wound from a bug that looks like a hedgehog. Giant water bug: water strider and smoothie. Description of what they eat, photos, videos and other interesting facts about these insects. Giant bedbugs - who are they?
Bugs or hemipterans represent the largest order of insects with incomplete transformation into life cycle. In total, there are 30 thousand species in the order. They are distributed throughout the globe and live in all environments of existence. We will get acquainted with three families: smooth water bugs, combing bugs and belostomatids. All of them chose bodies of water as their place of life. fresh water. Particularly interesting are belostomatids - giant water bugs, which we will talk about in more detail.
Class insects, order Hemiptera
These insects got their name due to the presence of a front pair of wings, which differ in structure from the rear pair. The fore wings have turned into elytra with varying degrees of rigidity (chitinization) and looking like transparent membranes with many veins. The detachment includes 50 families, but only three of them have adapted to live in an aquatic environment:
- The largest family is combing bugs (Corixidae).
- Smoothfish family (Notonectidae).
- Giant water bugs (Belostomatidae).
Representatives of these families have similar and distinct features.
Oral apparatus
All insects of this order are characterized by the presence of a piercing-sucking type of mouthparts. It has the appearance of a proboscis, the basis of which is a long, jointed lower lip with a groove. The groove contains the lower and upper jaws, which have changed into thin long bristles. This device is covered from above by a short upper lip. The structure of the mouthparts determines the way bedbugs feed. All of them pierce the prey's integument with their upper jaws and introduce toxins into its body, paralyzing the prey and dissolving soft tissues. The entire oral apparatus is immersed in the victim, and the liquid contents of the victim are absorbed. Representatives of our three families are active predators, and their proboscis is short and curved, like the beak of birds.
Other Common Features
Aquatic bugs, unlike their terrestrial counterparts, have no scent glands or they are very poorly developed (in the giant water bug). They breathe atmospheric oxygen with the help of tracheal tubes that penetrate the entire body of the insect, and spiracles that open in the thoracic or abdominal part of the body.
Bedbugs reproduce sexually, the female lays from 10 to 200 eggs. Development - with incomplete transformation. The eggs will hatch into larvae that look very similar to the imago (adult). They molt 4-5 times, increasing in size and acquiring organs adult, which the larvae do not have (wings, antennae, segments of the legs). After a few weeks, the larva turns into an adult. A special feature of bedbug eggs is the presence of a cap at the top. When the larvae open these caps, but do not yet emerge from the egg, the sight looks very funny.
Rowing bugs
The family has about 600 species. These are small bugs. The largest representative reaches 16 mm in length. They live mainly in stagnant bodies of water, feeding on algae and the larvae of other insects. They fly well. Their peculiarity lies in the structure of their limbs - they are all different. The first pair are short spatulas, in the male with spines. This is his musical apparatus - in the water he runs them along his proboscis, and the result is a rather loud chirping sound. The second pair is thin and long, with claws at the end. With them, the bug clings tightly to the algae, providing itself with support. The third pair are flat oars, with the help of which the bug swims quickly. Female special glue attaches the eggs to the algae, and they look like a small gray pile.
Interesting! There are so many of these bugs in Mexican lakes and swamps that even in the last century Britain imported them in barrels to feed poultry. After all, bedbugs are squirrels pure form, and the barrel could hold up to 250 million individuals.
Common water bug
This representative of the gladysh family is common in fresh water bodies of Russia (a total of 7 representatives of the species are found). The length of the adult is 1.5 cm, the body is green or brown, shaped like an inverted boat. The peculiarity of the smoothie is that it floats upside down, and then it becomes like a submarine. Breathing is carried out through tracheal tubes, which open in the abdominal area. From the surface, it carries with it a bubble of air under the water, which looks like a bubble of mercury. They fly well and take off directly from the water, and the female lays her eggs on algae. Smoothies are a favorite object of observation for young naturalists; they are often kept in aquariums. But if you pick it up carelessly, the prick of the proboscis will be painful, but not at all poisonous to humans.
Sword bugs - belostomatids, or giant bugs
In fauna Russian Federation they are represented by two species living on Far East, with dimensions more than modest - up to 4-5 centimeters. Far Eastern white stomas hibernate on winter period, and the rest of the time they lead a terrestrial-aquatic lifestyle. But real giant water bugs live where it is warm and humid - in tropical countries (South and North America, Thailand, India). In Florida (USA) they are called alligator ticks, and in India - finger biters.
Giant water bug: description
Let's start with the sizes. These insects grow up to 17 cm in length. They have different colors - from green to brown - depending on where they live. These bugs have their front legs (or first pair) turned into powerful pincers with hooks. It is with these that they firmly hold their prey until the injected toxin takes effect. They are active predators, primarily aquatic. Fish, frogs and even turtles are what the giant water bug feeds on. It even attacks small waterfowl! The toxin in the bedbug's saliva is similar in composition and effect to the venom of some snakes, but is not as toxic. It paralyzes the victim and dissolves its tissue, and the liquid contents are absorbed by the bug. In hunting, these predators are helped by retinal eyes and a hearing organ on the middle part of the body (tempanal organ). The bug can fly and loves the light of lanterns.
They are called "bugs" for their flight into light. electric lighting" It is in the light that people catch them in large quantities. Breathing is carried out through two tracheal tubes that open on the abdomen. These creatures have to surface every 7-8 minutes to take a breath. In case of danger, the giant bug pretends to be dead and becomes like a fallen leaf, which, however, can spray the secret of odorous glands located in the abdominal region at the attacker.
Caring daddies
The peculiarity of the giant water bug is its touching care for its offspring. And daddy does it. The female glues up to 100 eggs (she can lay up to 4 eggs at a time, so the bugs are forced to mate many times and spend a lot of time together) gray on the male's elytra, and for two long weeks he is doomed to remain on the surface of the reservoir (babies need oxygen), eat less and become easy prey for other predators. The male carries the eggs, sometimes moving his wings to air them. When the larvae open the lids of their eggs to exit, they do not immediately leave the parent. And he, poor thing, continues to be malnourished. This is the only type of bedbug that shows such care for its offspring.
A new species of insect that never existed!
This is exactly the message that has spread across the Internet quite recently. It was accompanied by creepy photographs and comments that after being bitten by a giant water bug, a person goes crazy and dies within two hours.
Next, it was suggested to follow the link and buy the antidote. Resourceful scammers never cease to amaze us. Is the water bug dangerous to humans? He may bite if you step on him or pick him up carelessly. It is painful, but not fatal. Apart from an unpleasant wound, which will heal within one to two weeks, and itching, getting to know a giant water bug does not bring any other troubles.
Gastronomic delicacy
In Vietnam, giant bugs are a very valuable resource. There, liquid is collected from the males from the pheromone-producing sacs. Ca "Cuong is the name of the product that has already entered the world market. One drop of this substrate changes the taste of the dish and, as the Vietnamese say, has a very beneficial effect... you know what.
In Thailand, these insects are simply fried - this is a common dish for local residents. It is called Malaeng da Na, it is sold in all markets and is inexpensive. There is probably not a tourist who has not tried fried giant bugs.
But in the Philippines, the legs of these insects are removed and... canapés are made for liqueurs. They are also fried whole or chopped with garlic, tomatoes, onions - basically, whatever you like. And they eat with pleasure.
Implications for the ecological system
In any ecosystem, everything is interconnected and represents a food-consumer chain. And if in natural environment These amazing residents have appeared, which means someone needs it. These insects are an important link in the trophic chain. They reduce the number of mosquito larvae, horseflies and other insects. In Vietnam, belostomas regulate the number of three-keeled turtles - the main pest for fry of commercial fish. But the line between benefit and harm is very blurred here. After all, bedbugs can cause significant damage to fish farming by eating fry. Is the water bug dangerous for humans? No, and you shouldn't be afraid of him.
But in Japan, the male giant tick is a symbol of caring fatherhood; he is respected and even haiku poems are written about him. And they don’t eat it there - after all, in Japan these creatures are listed in the Red Book with the status “on the verge of extinction.”
Belostoma sp. is a giant water bug up to 15–17 cm long. These are the largest representatives of the order Hemiptera on the entire planet. Distributed in East and Southeast Asia. Has a terrifying appearance.
The body is oval, elongated, black, yellow-brown or Brown, covered with small hairs. Coloring allows you to camouflage yourself with surrounding objects. The front legs are strongly curved, with hooks at the ends resembling claws, they allow them to capture and hold prey. The eyes are large and reticulated. The wings are membranous, transparent, smoky in color.
Giant Belostoma bug
Belostoma lives in tropical and subtropical regions of the planet. In some warm countries, locals call them “Alligator Ticks.” Two species are found in the Far East. Lives in shallow reservoirs, both flowing and standing, rich in vegetation. Spends most of its life under water, breathes atmospheric air, for which reason it sometimes floats to the surface. The openings of both respiratory tubes of these bugs are located at the end of the abdomen. Therefore, in order to take a breath, he needs to stick the back of his body out of the water. The bug swims well, its hind legs act as oars.
Giant belostomas spread to other bodies of water by air. Sometimes in the dark they can be attracted lighting, from which the insects received the nickname “electric-light bugs”, which means “electric light bugs”. At this time, a belostoma can easily hit a random passerby in the face.
Giant bedbugs have a peculiar reaction to impending danger. If a belostoma encounters an enemy larger than itself, it freezes, pretending to be dead. In another case, the insect may release an odorous liquid from the openings of the glands at the end of the abdomen.
It is common for Far Eastern white stomas to leave for the winter. With the onset of cold weather, they leave their ponds and find shelter in the crevices of dry stumps and fallen trees, densely overgrown with moss and lichen. In such a shelter, they fall into a state of suspended animation in order to survive the shortage of heat and food. Wintering ends with the establishment of a constant warm temperature, ensuring sufficient heating of water in reservoirs. Immediately after leaving their hiding places, belostomas actively feed in order to resume the lack of nutrients lost in winter.
Giant Belostoma bug
Belost lifestyle
Belostomas are carnivorous predators; they hunt by waiting for prey in a shelter. They feed on fish fry, amphibians, tadpoles, aquatic insects, and fish. The insect pierces the victim's body with a sharp proboscis and introduces a digestive enzyme into the tissue, then the bug sucks up the resulting mass. These predatory bugs prey even on well-protected armored animals, looking for unprotected places on their bodies. Thus, Belostomas became the cause of the mass death of three-keeled turtles in Japan.
Important! Belost bites are not dangerous for humans, but if the enzyme contained in the saliva gets on the skin, it will cause discomfort. While swimming, these insects can bite people on the toes and heels. A wound will form at the site of the bite, which will take a long time to heal.
Pictured are Belostoma bugs and their victims
Reproduction
The period of mating and egg laying occurs in the spring. One oviposition contains up to 100 eggs laid in different time. One female lays up to 4 eggs at a time, so the bugs mate several times until she lays required quantity eggs
Belostomas are classified as insects with an incomplete type of transformation. That is, throughout their life they go through only two stages of development: larva and adult ( adult insect). The beginning of the larval stage is considered to be the exit from the egg. Newborn larvae lack normal coloring and their body coverings are soft. Gradually, the larvae's integuments harden and become stained, after which they enter a phase of increased feeding. The stage of increased growth is accompanied by several molts, when the larva sheds the chitinous cover that has become cramped for it. This is how the body enlarges and transforms into an adult form.
Victim of the belostoma bug
Caring for offspring
Some Belostomas have a pronounced concern for their offspring. Fertilized females lay eggs on the backs of males.
The male carries the eggs for about two weeks. At the same time, it does not sink to the very bottom of the reservoir, but stays closer to the surface and, with the help of its hind legs, ensures water circulation because future offspring need access to air.
The male carries the eggs until the larvae hatch. During this period, he begins to eat less because... oviposition on the back limits its movement. Such insects become easy prey for predators. Therefore, by the end of the breeding season in reservoirs, the number of females exceeds the number of males.
In Japan, the belost is highly revered, knowing the ability of their males to take such careful care of their future offspring. It is this feature that has made the white bug a unique symbol of a father who does not abandon his child under any circumstances.
Male Great Belostoma bearing offspring
Male Great Water Belostoma with hatched larvae
The role of belostoma in nature
The Belostoma water bug, being a predator, participates in the processes of regulating the number of other animals, including harmful ones. For example, in Japan it was noted mass death three-keeled turtles that damage rice crops. A zoologist from Kyoto University managed to record the fact that a giant belostoma hunted a three-keeled turtle. This event significantly reduced the impact of pests on crops.
However, whitestomas can cause harm by eating the fry of rare or commercial fish. This could result in losses for fisheries.
Interesting! In some exotic countries, large Belostoma waterbugs are a specialty national dish, which you can buy and try right on the street. For this reason, Thailand has seen a decline in the number of these insects.
Very cheap dish in Thailand! It tastes like chicken, I recommend it to everyone!
Vladimir, Moscow
Fried belostomy as a dish of exotic cuisine
Video: Belostoma bug eats a snail
Good to know:
Entomology does not define a particular species as a garden bug. This term refers to the entire variety of hemipteran insects that inhabit the garden. Among them you can find bedbugs various colors and forms, both harmful and beneficial for garden crops.
Giant water bug July 15th, 2014
This biting, crawling creature has a Latin name Belostomatidae. The giant water bug lives throughout the world, especially in North and South America. East Asia and Northern Australia. IN different areas it is called differently around the world, but all the nicknames are equally creepy. This water bug is carnivorous, preying on crustaceans, fish and even aquatic reptiles. When confronted with people, they pretend to be dead. If this doesn't work, they may bite, piercing the flesh and injecting their saliva. This is one of the most painful bites in the world, although it does not pose any medical threat. In Thailand, these bugs are street food and a tasty treat fried in a spiced sauce.
Let's find out more about them...
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We've all heard about bedbugs and how some of them smell terrible, while others feed on human blood, e.g. bed bug. This is true. What do you say when you find out that there are bedbugs up to 15 centimeters in length living in the world? True, they won’t climb into your bed, but while swimming in the pond they may accidentally bite you. It's about about giant water bugs.
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These giants live in tropical countries, for example in countries South America, East Asia (India), Southeast Asia (Thailand), representatives of this family are also found in North America (for example, Florida), where local residents gave them their name - “Alligator ticks”. Typically, they can be encountered in freshwater bodies of water and streams.
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Giant water bugs can reach a length of 15 centimeters. They belong to the Belostomatidae family, which differs from species in other families in that their hind legs are designed for swimming rather than walking. The front legs are strong, large and somewhat shorter than the others. At their ends there are hooks that look like claws. They serve as an excellent tool for capturing and holding prey.
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Adults cannot breathe underwater, so they often rise to the surface to take a breath of air. Their respiratory organs are 2 breathing tubes located on the abdomen. But they barely protrude beyond its end or are completely hidden.
Giant water bugs are real predators. For their size and prey, you need appropriate prey - fish fry, tadpoles, insects, salamanders, amphibians, snails and even small fish. They wait for their prey, being motionless and anchored on a stone or aquatic plant. When prey swims very close, the bugs grab it with their front paws and pull it to the mouth.
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Using a proboscis, they inject saliva into the victim’s body, which has a paralyzing effect and very quickly liquefies its insides. The bug then eats (sucks out) the resulting mushy mass.
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While studying giant water bugs in their natural habitat - rice fields, a scientist discovered how the insect ate a Chinese three-keeled turtle. Note that turtles of this species grow on average up to 17 cm.
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Giant water bugs can fly, but they do this not so often - only when they move to a new body of water or when they are attracted by the light of night lamps. Because of this, they received another name: “electric-light bugs”. These bugs most often bite people on the legs or toes while swimming. For a person, this bite will not cause harm, but will be quite painful.
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In cases where bedbugs encounter a larger enemy, including humans, they resort to tricks. They pretend to be dead, and when the “threat” gets close enough, the insect releases liquid from the anus into it.
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In spring, on the backs of bugs from the family Belostomatidae, you can see many large pale gray or brown eggs. Males act as nannies for their offspring. After each mating, the female lays 1-4 eggs on his elytra. And the male can carry a clutch of up to 100 eggs. This means that a pair of giant water bugs can mate up to 30 times before everything required amount eggs will end up on daddy's back.
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With such “baggage” he travels for about 10-12 days. During this entire period, he shows real fatherly care to his offspring. The male periodically raises them above the surface of the water. Such air baths prevent the formation of fungus and maintain the viability of eggs. Sometimes he makes rocking movements, which increase the distribution of oxygen in the clutch.
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In the countries of Southeast Asia, and especially in Thailand, these beetles can be tasted in local restaurants or bought as a fried delicacy right on the street.
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The water bug is one of the numerous inhabitants of various bodies of water, which are characterized by slow flows or standing water. Their population can be found all over the world. These insects belong to the category of predators that feed on weaker individuals living in water.
The presence of a water bug in a reservoir makes it possible to effectively regulate the number of small insects. They can also prey on larvae laid by mosquitoes, which can help reduce mosquito populations. These insects are most active in the summer, spending almost all their time in the water.
Adults may have various sizes– they vary from 15 mm to 17 cm. It all depends on the type of insect.
In our area you can find the following types water bugs:
- water strider;
- smoothie;
- belostoma;
- rower
Water strider
Water bug "Water strider"
The water strider is a water bug, the description of which resembles a small (up to 1 centimeter) dragonfly without wings that lives in an aquatic environment. In addition to moving on the surface of the water, some representatives of water striders can fly. In this way they search for food and new places to stay.
The water strider feeds on small larvae that other insects lay. They themselves can become victims of larger representatives of bedbugs, as well as small birds.
Larger individuals can be found in places with tropical climatic conditions.
This water bug is poisonous - its bite is quite noticeable, and under certain circumstances a person may develop an allergic reaction.
Gladysh
Water bug "Gladysh"
The smooth water bug has a body that is shaped like a small boat. Its front legs are adapted in such a way as to capture and securely hold prey.
The rear ones are designed for movement - they are used as oars. The smooth bug scoops up water with them, which allows it to move at a fairly high speed.
This insect swims with its belly up - this allows it to scan the surface of the water in search of larvae and small insects that can become its food. A good outlook for a bug is provided by its eyes, which have sufficient big size in relation to the head.
The insect has a well-developed wing system, which allows it to make fairly long flights between bodies of water. The color of the wings is light - it allows you to camouflage yourself from fish. The belly with which it floats upward is black, making it invisible to birds.
Gladysh is a water bug insect that has a piercing-sucking mouthparts. With its help, he punctures his victim and gradually sucks out its contents.
Grebljak
Water bug "Grebljak"
This insect is quite different small size body - only 2 cm. Its main habitat is the surface of a reservoir. Where the water bug lives, you can often hear loud enough sounds made by males to attract a female.
The paddlefish feeds on plankton, and can often become food for fish or birds.
Belostoma
Water bug "Belostoma"
This is the largest water bug and prefers to live in tropical regions. Its population is not found here; you can only see the giant water bug in the photo.
An adult can reach up to 15 cm. Its body has a flat, elongated shape. The front legs, which have special hooks, are used to capture prey, and the hind legs are designed to swim.
Reproduction of water bugs
The female smooth water bug lays eggs underwater. She places them at the base of plants and algae, which the reservoir is rich in. The larvae hatch after two weeks and after four molts they will become adults.
Water striders also lay their eggs underwater. Once the larvae hatch, they must go through four stages of molting to develop into full-fledged adults.
Female paddlefish lay their eggs in an empty shell or in the ground. Their size is about 2 mm. The larvae hatch in early June or late July. There will be three molts before the transformation into an adult occurs.
The water bug Belostomatidae has the most interesting method of reproduction. The fact is that the male water bug plays the role of an incubator in which the female will lay her eggs. She does this directly on the male’s back, and he is forced to carry them on himself until the larvae hatch. A water bug with eggs on its back is a rather funny sight, but this is how insects protect their offspring.
Danger to humans
When asked whether the water bug is dangerous for humans, we can say with confidence that it is not. But this is only valid if you do not touch it.
In nature, a person is not an end in itself for a bug, he has other objects for food and he does not have to bite people. True, if he is disturbed, then for the purpose of self-defense he can bite, secreting a small portion of poison under the skin.
Belostoma water bugs bite very often when they are carrying their eggs. This is especially true for males, who transport them on their backs. They also do not pose any particular danger to human health.
If a water bug senses danger, a human bite will be inevitable. You can do this not on purpose, for example, while swimming in a pond, fishing, etc. But the insect does not know this and perceives these actions as an attack on itself, which leads to a defensive reaction in the form of a bite.
If a smooth water bug bites, the bite will look like a red spot with clear edges. In terms of the strength of its bite, it resembles a bee or wasp, even weaker. After redness, a slight swelling or small blister may form, which can be burned with brilliant green.
The wound can also be treated with various gels that are used against mosquito bites, ticks and bedbugs. These medications will relieve itching and speed up the healing process.
For example:
How to get rid of a water bug?
Since the water bug is dangerous to humans only when it is attacked, it makes no sense to get rid of it by any means. It mainly resides near bodies of water, where it reduces the population of mosquitoes and various small insects. It does more good than harm.
If the insect does get into the house, you can simply sweep it into a bag and remove it from the room. It’s better not to touch it with your hands - it might bite.
Conclusion
The varieties of water bug that are typical for our region are completely safe for humans. Of course, they can sting a person who, through carelessness or ignorance, disturbs this insect. But even after a bite there will be no great danger to a person.
The water bug can look different, since there are various representatives of the group of insects that live in water bodies (Hydrocores): the comb bug, the belostomy bug, etc. One of them is the gladysh (the smooth family). In order to move freely and quickly, it must have a special shape and body structure.
Insects of this species are adapted for an aquatic habitat: the body is smooth and has an elongated shape. To speed up the movement of the hind legs, the legs are much longer than the front ones. The water strider bug and the smoothie bug are similar in this regard. An interesting shade attracts the eye. The color is formed from brown, green, yellow colors.
How to recognize a smoothie?
This is enough large insects, their body length reaches 15 cm. But the most close-up view- belostoma. Smoothies can fly, due to which the habitat can change: small bodies of water, puddles. Water bugs have long legs, which allows them to move quickly.
The body is smooth and streamlined, reminiscent of a boat. Two powerful “oars” are the back pair of legs; they exceed the size of the other limbs
The smoothie moves thanks to its two hind legs. For this reason they are called rowing boats. The other 2 pairs are shorter. The belly is flattened, which facilitates rapid movement across the water surface.
Like all bedbugs, it has a piercing-sucking mouthpart
This feature also contributes to this respiratory system: provided hermetically closed chambers, communicating with the area under the elytra and air channels, leading from the surface of the abdomen.
Upon closer examination, you will notice that in insects of this species the head, abdomen and body are separated. To adapt to living conditions, water bugs change color: from lighter to dark brown.
With its front legs, the smooth fish clings to any protruding objects: branches, specks, and other irregularities in the water surface. Insects different types(for example, rowing boat) have common feature– paws are covered with fluff.
Behavioral features
Smoothies not only can fly, but also swim well. However, they cannot stay in water for long. Such insects usually turn over on their backs, and movement is facilitated by pushing movements of their rear paddle legs. The smoothie makes sounds reminiscent of the singing of a grasshopper. At the same time, water bugs rub their trunk with their front legs.
Masking is facilitated by a change in the shade of the body. Moreover, it is important that the color does not contrast strongly with the bottom of the reservoir. This is how smoothies hide from predators. At the same time, they can sneak up on their prey unnoticed. When lying on their backs, water bugs resemble a plant, which is facilitated by legs of different lengths sticking out to the sides. If necessary, they can dive underwater. Duration of stay in the aquatic environment at full immersion does not exceed 8 minutes.
The bug is capable of long flights and usually rises at night.
Where do they live?
Smoothies are found in closed reservoirs; preference is given to standing water. This is the main habitat of such insects, but due to their ability to fly, they are found much more often in everyday life. For example, bedbugs are attracted to puddles, and along the way they may stop on the veranda of a private residence. Insects of different species (combing beetle, belostomy, etc.) prefer certain living conditions, where it is easier to get food.
Gladysh also has his weaknesses. For example, these insects fly into bright light. Accordingly, in the evening they are most active. This is also due to the behavioral characteristics of other insects that are eaten by bedbugs.
Gladysh is an active predator, absorbing up to 100 mosquito larvae per day
Insect diet
Gladysh is a predatory water bug. His diet: small insects and even fish fry. The caught prey is killed by injecting digestive fluid into the body. After this, the insect sucks it up. Sometimes an adult (giant water bug) attacks a representative of its own group of insects, for example, a paddlefish can become a victim. Birds and large fish(not all, but only some types). But the task of catching is complicated by the beetle's ability to camouflage.
Offspring and reproduction
Reproduction of some insects of this group (comb, smooth, etc.) is carried out by the method incomplete transformation(lay eggs). The larva is formed with similar external signs, as an adult. The only difference is that there are no wings.
And the size is, of course, much smaller. Water bugs lay eggs closer to the bottom of the reservoir. The offspring hides on the underside of the plants. The eggs are characterized by a light yellow hue. The duration of larval development is about 3 weeks. At favorable conditions habitat, this period may be reduced by several days.
The larvae also lead a predatory lifestyle from the first days of their existence. During the development period, they go through several stages of molting, since the shell is not prone to stretching. The ability to make sounds appears in adults.
Are water strider bugs dangerous to humans?
Externally, these insects look like giant beetles. Given their ability to pierce the victim, they can cause a lot of unpleasant sensations. However, water bugs (combing bugs, smoothies, etc.) are never the first to attack a person. They can bite, but only in response to harmful actions in their direction.
Thus, if we consider a group of aquatic insects of the bug family (rower, water strider, etc.), they practically do not cause inconvenience to humans, in addition to the unusual appearance. However, some of the species pose a danger to water bodies, as they feed on fish fry, which can harm fish farms. Among them are smoothies. These insects move from pond to pond in an effort to find food for themselves.