About Waterbugs..

An interesting phrase that I hear on Vine a lot can be credited to Alx James. He invented the phrase "water bugs" for sunglasses to avoid haters or people he does not want to see. The video above shows his water bugs and ladybugs.

This got me thinking, what exactly is a "water bug"?  

well, I found one of the most interesting things, a Giant Water Bug! Other common names for this species is Electric Light Bug and Toe Biter. The family that this insect belongs to is Belostomatidae. I love some of their characteristics that make them such a neat insect to discuss on my blog. For example, their back legs are engineered to be paddles, so that they can swim. Also, they can take in air from their hind end of their abdomen. They have developed tubes that can stick out above water. They transfer air to the pocket type bubble that a water bug will keep under its wings. Air then can enter through the spiracles on a water bug's body.

Something else interesting about this species is the way they care for their young. Some species of Giant Water Bugs actually place their eggs on the males. They actually care for the young until they hatch, making sure they get enough oxygen and preventing them from getting over run with fungi. 

Their common name "Electric Light Bug" comes from their love of light. They will fly anywhere they can to find light, because they are attracted to it. Their common name "Toe Biter" comes from their ability to inflict a painful bite. It should be harmless, unless you are allergic. Another interesting thing about their bite is the fact that they inject their prey with a toxin. This toxin can paralyze the prey, and it also changes the format of their body into liquid form. Giant Water Bugs can kill and consume animals that are at least 50x their size. That has got to be a powerful toxin and bite! 

Most Giant Water Bugs could be found in ponds, lakes, or streams. They are adapted to hide themselves from predators very well. Also, they go through incomplete metamorphosis. What this means is that the egg becomes a nymph, and then the nymph finally becomes an adult. A nymph is a smaller, lesser version of the adult. 

Overall, Alx James knows which insects are pretty rad. He should be thanked for bringing our attention to an insect that does not seem to be on the radar for most people. 


**Credit to Alx James for the Vine video**

*All information gathered to make this post was gathered from this website and this webpage*