Down here in the Southeast of the United States you’ll find incredible insect diversity. And just because we’re a pest control company doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate that. And that goes for bugs that walk, crawl, fly, and even swim! So today we’re going to touch on Florida water bugs. We’ll cover the various species you can expect to find in the state,
Florida Water Bugs: Overview
One of the first questions people ask down here is why we have so many water bugs. And I can see why they would ask that question, mind you. In many states you wouldn’t see water bugs often. But that’s not true for our sunny little peninsula. In fact, there’s about fourteen species of these bugs in the state! The majority of these insects are predators or scavengers. There’s exceptions to this rule, however.
These bugs aren’t the kind you’ll have problems with in your home. If you do, it’ll likely be a mistake that’s just as stressful for the bug as it is for you. Water bugs in Florida are essential to the local ecosystem. And while not quite as harmful as true pests, they’re still a slight nuisance. Some species can bite humans with a painful pinch. Others can cause skin irritation as well, so we’ll touch on some of the species you’ll find of Florida water bugs below.
Florida Water Bugs: What kind of water bugs live in Florida?
Water boatman
One of the most common types of water bugs you’ll see are the water boatman. If you’ve ever looked down into a pond and noticed small bugs rowing across the surface, you were probably looking at one of these. They have long hind legs that are shaped like boat oars. They’re used to propel the water boatmen through the water in search of the tiny food particles they slurp up with tube like mouthparts.
And when I say common, I mean these insects can be found basically anywhere. Water boatmen are common both in mountain lakes in Asia and then all the way down into Death Valley, CA. They are slender an oval shaped, which helps them easily glide through the water. Their bag legs are long and slender, and are covered with tiny fine hairs that help them move through the water.
Giant Water Bug
Now up next is probably the most famous water bug in Florida. And with nearly two thousand rivers and streams in Florida, you’ll find them all over the place. All water in Florida is teaming with life, and one member of that “life” group is the giant water bug. They’re the largest of all water dwelling Heteroptera, and can even make their way into public pools or large parking lot puddles.
Their other, more popular name is “the toe biter.” It has sucking mouth parts that it uses to drain fluids out of it’s prey. And to achieve this, it has two large, barbed pincers to hold them in place. So a wrong step in the wrong pond down here can end up with your big toe in the grasp of a pretty intimidating looking insect. And keep in mind, this guy is big even among Florida water bugs. Some of them have even been found to reach four inches in length!
Now these insects really don’t go looking for trouble. In fact, most of them don’t. However, the toe-biter name didn’t come about magically. If you go walking around in bodies of water that aren’t crystal blue in Florida, there’s a nonzero chance you end up learning really quickly how these guys got their name. They have huge pinchers and caustic saliva, so keep a respectful distance to any that you see.
Backswimmers
Visually similar to other aquatic insects, we have the backswimmer next on our list. They’re related to dragonflies and damselflies more closely than other water bugs, however. They’re able to swim upside down, which is where their common name comes from!
Another member of the true-bug order, these guys are related to other well known insects like stink bugs, aphids, and grasshoppers. They’re found throughout the world and prefer still or slow moving water. Look out for them in swimming pools, lakes, ponds, and even bird baths. The richer in aquatic vegetation the area is, these Florida water bugs will be all the happier.
These bugs are very similar in appearance to the water boatman I mentioned above. Both groups are slender and have oval shaped bodies. This configuration allows the backswimmer to travel very efficiently through the water. The back legs of backswimmers are robust and long with feathery patches – these modified legs are what the insect uses to “oar” through the water. Unlike water boatmen, backswimmers do not have narrow, dark parallel line patterning on their backside. You can also distinguish them by watching their swimming style. Water boatmen swim right side up, while backswimmers swim upside down. Backswimmers are also rounder and tend to be lighter in color.
Unlike water boatman though, these pests are less shy about being handled. They just straight up don’t like it. If you see one of these, be sure to appreciate their odd adaptations for back swimming (like the breathing tubes on their stomachs) from afar. Handling one that doesn’t want to be handles is a very easy way to find yourself with a nipped finger.
Some people call them “water wasps” due to their lack of hesitation to sting.
Florida Water Bugs: Are they pests?
Now, I’ll go ahead and shut the book on this: no. You won’t often find a large enough amount of water bugs in any body of water for there to be a real issue. However, especially after hurricanes or other events that can leave ponds full of fallen debris and vegetation, their population numbers can boom.
So if you need help with a water bug problem, make sure to contact the pros. Feel free to visit our website at insectfree.com and fill out the pop up form or give us a call at 1-800-634-1313 to get yourself a free consultation today.