Water Bug Identification

[Walleye72]

On my summer vacation this year I trapped most of the minnows that I needed for the 2 weeks I was there. In addition to the minnows, I trapped quite a few of these bugs as well. Does anyone know what type of bugs these are? Everyone was asking me, but I didn't know.

 

Bug 1: Both the front and the backside

 

 

Bug 2:

 

 

Please note: Bug 2 is not a crawfish.

 

I never tried fishing with them, maybe I should have.

 

Bill

 

[mike rousseau]

I've seen bug #1 before... But not bug #2...

 

Creepy...

[danc]

I think #1 is a giant water beetle?? #2 looks to be some type of larvae. Dragonfly perhaps?

[farsider]

Giant water bug

 

http://www.eduwebs.org/bugs/giant_water_bug.htm

 

Caddis Fly larvae

http://www.ecospark.ca/changingcurrents/caddisfly

 

Cheers,

Mark

[Walleye72]

Wow, thanks so much. Those are great links.

 

Now I can educate others.

[strakey]

The first is a giant water beetle and the second from the side looks like a helagramite. If it had big pincers it is. Otherwise i think caddis fly would be it

[John Bacon]

If you find the first one still alive in your trap, I understand that deliver a rather painful bit.

[highdrifter]

First bug is Giant Water Bug. It is not a beetle. A beetle is from the order of coleoptera. That bug is a "true bug" and is of the order of Hemiptera.

Second bug is NOT a caddis. The proportions and rostrum tell me that this is in fact a diving beetle larvae.

 

Both are predators and are piscivorous, meaning that they eat fish.

 

cheers

HD

[Spiel]

First bug is Giant Water Bug. It is not a beetle. A beetle is from the order of coleoptera. That bug is a "true bug" and is of the order of Hemiptera.

 

Second bug is NOT a caddis. The proportions and rostrum tell me that this is in fact a diving beetle larvae.

 

Both are predators and are piscivorous, meaning that they eat fish.

 

cheers

HD

 

I'm pretty certain that HD has nailed it, no question!

[Joeytier]

Cool...shoulda fried em up! Giant water bugs are a delicacy in some eastern cultures. For me, more likely to induce vomiting.