About Water Bugs

Habitat

• Water bugs have habitats across most of the freshwater waterways of the world. The exceptions are those in the polar areas.
  
  

Origins

• Water bugs originated around 250 million years ago in the Triassic period.
  
  

Diet

• Carnivorous water bugs feed off small invertebrates and fish by sucking out their fluids. Omnivorous water bugs feed off freshwater plants.
  
  

Defense

• The rostrum, which is part of the mouth of the water bug, can also be used as a defensive stinger. Some species can even deliver a sting worse than a bee to humans.
  
  

Antennae

• Water bug antennae are weaker than other insects and often smaller or thinner. They are usually tucked away next to the head for this reason.