Freshwater Insects :
Water Scorpion Care and Habits – Aquatic Insects for Arachnid Fans :
Over the past several months, I’ve spent much time collecting aquatic insects with my nephew, who is quite the intense little naturalist (please see photos – I’m having as much fun as he!). In addition to our usual haul of backswimmers, predacious diving beetles, dragonfly larvae and the like, this season I was pleased to find a healthy population of Brown Water Scorpions (Ranatra fusca). Combining characteristics of mantids, walking sticks and scorpions, all modified for life underwater, these amazing creatures are simple to keep and fascinating to get to know.
Aquatic Insects as Pets:
In years past, I set up aquatic insect exhibits for several zoos and public aquariums, but it seems that interest remains rather low among private invertebrate keepers. This surprises me, as their range of lifestyles rivals that of their land-bound cousins, and never fails to astonish me even after all these years.
Natural History :
Classification :
Water Scorpions are classified in the order Hemiptera and the family Nepidae. Members of the order Hemiptera, known as True Bugs, have sucking, beak-like mouthparts. Examples include cicadas, giant water bugs, backswimmers, leafhoppers and aphids. Approximately 270 Water Scorpion species have been described worldwide, 13-15 of which inhabit North America. No doubt many others are awaiting “discovery”.
Physical Description :
The body of the Brown Water Scorpion resembles that of a terrestrial stick insect and is yellowish-tan to dark brown in color. Others, including those in the North American genus Nepa, are flattened in appearance. The front legs are raptorial (designed for grasping) and superficially similar to those of a praying mantis. Unlike a mantis, however, the terminal segments of the Water Scorpion’s front legs fit into a groove when not in use, and swing out like folding knives when needed. These hook-like leg tips can be seen in the photo showing a Water Scorpion poised just below a guppy.
The middle and hind legs are about as long as the body, and paired breathing tubes are situated at the end of the abdomen. This species reaches 1.75 inches in length (to approximately 3 inches including the breathing tube).
Water Scorpions can fly, but do so only rarely.
Amazing Organs:
Three pairs of disc-shaped organs on the abdomen, known as false spiracles, enable Water Scorpions to gauge water depth and compensate for changes in water pressure.
Range :
From southern Canada through much of the continental USA to northern Mexico.
Habitat:
Poorly adapted for swimming, Water Scorpions favor the still waters of ponds, swamps, lake edges and canals, where they remain immobile among plants and sticks. The photo of my nephew “waiting in ambush” shows their typical habitat.
Diet:
This voracious carnivore feeds largely upon the body fluids of invertebrates, but will also take small tadpoles, fishes and newts. Water Scorpions are ambush predators, relying upon camouflage when hunting. They lash out with the front legs and subdue prey via salivary fluids injected through the sharp beak. These fluids contain chemicals that tranquilize prey and initiate digestion; food is consumed in liquid form, in the manner of spiders.
Reproduction :
Eggs are inserted into living or dead plants, and hatch in 2-4 weeks. The nymphs resemble the adults (incomplete metamorphosis) and mature in 4-6 weeks.
Captive Care :
Enclosure :
The aquarium should be covered and the water slow-moving. Water Scorpions are poorly-equipped for swimming, and will perish if buffeted by strong currents.
The tank should be well-stocked with plants (preferably live) and sticks that rise to the water’s surface. Water Scorpions breathe by extending the abdominal breathing tubes above the water’s surface, and cannot utilize oxygen dissolved in the water. They will not thrive if unable to station themselves on a plant or stick near the water’s surface.
Filtration and Water Quality :
Water Scorpions may be kept in an unfiltered bowl, jar, or aquarium if provided a weekly water change (please see photo of my simple enclosure). Live plants will enhance the aquarium’s appearance and assist in maintaining water quality. If filtration is desired, be sure to avoid strong water currents.
Although Water Scorpions inhabit waters that are often subjected to varying pH and ammonia levels, water quality should not be ignored. In this regard, they should be maintained as are tropical fishes (please write in if you need further information). Water used in the aquarium should be treated with chlorine/chloramine removal drops and maintained at pH 6.8-7.2.
Light, Heat and Water Quality
Temperatures of 65-82 F are well-tolerated.
Feeding :
Water Scorpions are attracted to prey by movement, and will take small crickets and bits of fish, shrimp and earthworm from tongs. I also offer small guppies, mosquito larvae and blackworms. I’ve not seen them take smaller prey items, but mosquito larvae do disappear (and seem not to be buzzing about the house!).
Compatible Species :
In common with many aquatic insects, Water Scorpions will consume smaller individuals of their own species. However, as captive breeding seems not to have been recorded, keeping several in a well-planted aquarium would be worthwhile (reduced temperatures and a shortened light cycle in winter may encourage reproduction).
These slow, deliberate hunters will not get enough food in aquariums housing diving beetles, water boatmen, fishes and other aggressive feeders. In such situations, they must be individually fed via tongs.
Captive Longevity :
Adults over-winter and can live for 2 – 2.5 years.
Handling :
As you can see from my 4-year-old nephew’s smiling face, Water Scorpions are rather “stiff” and cannot bite if held as illustrated. The long beak seems quite formidable, but several observers report that it cannot pierce human skin (this re Brown Water Scorpions; others not mentioned). I’m wary of aquatic insects, however, as even the smallest predatory species can usually inflict a painful bite. After so many decades of being bitten and stung by creatures large and small, I have no desire to experiment! I advise that you handle via tongs or a net.
Insects and other invertebrates occupy every conceivable aquatic habitat, from birdbaths to swamps and even the sea. Running a net or small strainer through just about any bit of available water will yield a treasure trove of interesting creatures, many of which are quite easy to keep and even breed. So get out there and look around, and please feel free to write in with suggested topics, so that I can cover your favorite species.
Giant Water Bug :
Belostomatidae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Belostomatidae is a family of insects in the order Hemiptera, known as giant water bugs or colloquially as toe-biters, Indian toe-biters, electric-light bugs, alligator ticks or fleas (in Florida). They are the largest insects in the order Hemiptera, and occur worldwide, with most of the species in North America, South America, Northern Australia and East Asia. They are typically encountered in freshwater streams and ponds. Most species are relatively large, typically at least 0.75 in (2 cm) long, although smaller species also exist. The largest are members of the genusLethocerus, which can exceed 4.75 in (12 cm) and nearly reach the length of some of the largerbeetles in the world. Giant water bugs are a popular food in southeast Asia.
Abedus indentatus male with eggs on its back
Habits :
Feeding and defense :
Belostomatidae are fierce predators which stalk, capture and feed on aquatic invertebrates, snails, crustaceans,fish and amphibians. The largest species have also been found to capture and feed on baby turtles and water snakes. They often lie motionless at the bottom of a body of water, attached to various objects, where they wait for prey to come near. They then strike, injecting a powerful digestive saliva with their rostrum, and sucking out the liquefied remains. Their bite is considered one of the most painful that can be inflicted by any insect; however, though excruciatingly painful, it is of no medical significance. Adults cannot breathe under water, and must surface periodically for air. Occasionally when encountered by a larger predator, such as a human, they have been known to "play dead" and emit a fluid from their anus.[2] Due to this they are assumed dead by humans only to later "come alive" with painful results.
Breeding :
Belostomatids show paternal care and these aspects have been studied extensively, among others involving the North American Belostoma flumineum and the East Asian
Lethocerus (Kirkaldyia) deyrollei. In species of the subfamily Belostomatinae, the eggs are typically laid on the male's wings and carried until they hatch. The male cannot mate during this period. The males invest considerable time and energy in reproduction and females take the role of actively finding males to mate. This role reversal matches the predictions of R. L. Trivers' parental investment theory. In the subfamily Lethocerinae, the eggs are laid on emergent vegetation and guarded by the male.
In Asian cuisine :
In some areas belostomatids are considered a delicacy, and can be found for sale in markets. This is mainly in southeast Asia involving the species Lethocerus indicus. They are often collected for this purpose using large floating traps on ponds, set with black lights to attract the bugs. Adults fly at night, like many aquatic insects, and are attracted to lights during the breeding season.
Lethocerus deyrollei :
Lethocerus deyrollei is a species of giant water bug (family Belostomatidae) that traditionally is included in the genus Lethocerus, although recent authorities places it in the Kirkaldyia. They are large (4.8–6.5 cm or 1.9–2.6 in long), predatory and nocturnal insects. They are one of the best known giant water bugs and are found in Japan, Korea, east China, east Indochina and the Amur region of Russia. They are very common in much of their range, but have declined drastically in some regions and are considered threatened in Japan. They live in still waters with vegetation, hatching in the summer months and then overwintering half a year later as adults. They primarily feed on small fish,amphibians and aquatic insects, but have also been recorded taking water snakes and young turtles ..
The eggs of this species are laid out of water, generally on vegetation. Males exhibit parental care by keeping eggs damp. This is achieved by climbing up to the egg mass and having the water drip off their bodies onto the eggs. Eggs that are not kept damp in this way fail to hatch.
Infanticide behaviour :
Females of the species are known to destroy eggs guarded by males (ovicide, a form of infanticide), which secures care for their future offspring.[4] It appears that a "counterstrategy" has evolved in males, which spend a much greater time with the eggs than is necessary to keep them wet. Most of the water is deposited on eggs within 90 seconds, but males have been reported to stay with eggs much longer than that. This is because males which stay with the egg mass cannot be detected by females.[4] Brooding males will also attack female intruders, being successful in defending their eggs about one third of the time, though some are seriously injured in doing this.[7] Males will only put up a fight as eggs are first being destroyed, and have been witnessed to abruptly cease defending their eggs and begin copulatingwith the encroaching female.
Infanticide has also been recorded in another insect, the burying beetle Nicrophorus orbicollis
The Asian species put their eggs out of water near the level of it ..