Thanks so much. I really wanted to know what kind of bug that was since I'd never seen one before. I really appreciate it
Giant water bug by: Moni
Jessica
It is a giant water bug that is trying to get into see the movies. Perhaps wants to star in an insect horror movie?!
These insects are attracted to lights, so that is probably why they were there. They live in clear freshwater streams and ponds and like to cling to cattails. The front legs do kind of look like pincers but it is the mouth parts that can bite. It does hurt for a short time. This fall I was bitten by the small water bug and it hurt!
The adults use those large front legs to catch their prey, feeding on aquatic insects as well as small fish, tadpoles and the like. They pierce their prey with their sharp beak and secrete enzymes that dissolve the body tissues, then suck up the resulting liquid. The young nymphs feed on aquatic insects.
They are neat strange looking critters. Would love to see one again...been a while.
