Identification of Water Bugs in Florida

• The swamps in Florida are ideal for water bugs.Everglades Reeds image by Richard McGuirk from Fotolia.com
  
  Florida is a vast state filled with swamps, coastal regions and wetlands. Many of these areas are home to various types of water bugs. These creatures are also found in ponds and streams in other central areas of Florida. Water bugs have distinct characteristics that allow them to thrive in the water. They have strong legs for swimming and thick shells to protect them from too much moisture.
  
  

Giant Water Bugs

• Giant water bugs--also called belostomatidae--are brown water bugs found in Florida, Montana and other swamp areas. These bugs are less than one inch long, which is large compared to many insects. Giant water bugs are also called toe biters because they nip at people's feet in the water. Males carry up to 100 eggs on their back to assist the female water bug. Females are continually looking for males to mate with. Giant water bugs are brown or black with a total of six legs. These bugs are harmless to people, but they are an annoyance when nipping at feet. Water bugs live up to one year on average.
  
  

Water Boatman

• Water boatmen bugs are another type of water bug found in Florida and other swamp regions of the Untied States. Water boatmen enjoy swimming through the water, but they avoid predators or other creatures that might harm them. The water boatman is also called the water beetle because of it's beetle-like appearance. These bugs are black and less than 1/2 inch long. Water boatmen have four long legs and two tiny wings on their backs. They feed on dead plants and other raw materials in the swamp. They are also found in small ponds and lakes.
  
  

Back Swimmer

• Back Swimmers are also found within the swamps and wetlands of Florida. These creatures are called back swimmers because they swim upside down on their backs on the top or near the surface of the water. These bugs are blackish gray with a total of four legs. Some sub-species are also red or pinkish. Back swimmers are less than 1/2 inch long and they enjoy a diet of larvae, snails and tadpoles. These bugs do not harm humans, but they can inflict painful bites.