Water Bugs

Water Bugs (order Hemiptera)	Water strider adult	World species: 2000
		Species in N.A. north of Mexico: 400
		Source of name: live in or on water
		Nickname: "water bugs"

The relatively large order Hemiptera contains both terrestrial and aquatic families of insects. About 300 species live on or in the water, and 100 more are along the water's edge. Though not overly important to fly fishing, some water bugs are quite important as fish food. Primarily of interest to freshwater fish/flyfishers, there are some saltwater insects of this type, as well. There are some 17 families in North America that may be of importance to anglers:

6 live under water
5 live primarily on top of the water
6 are shore dwellers

Metamorphosis is incomplete, and larva and adults are similar in appearance. Life cycles are generally restricted to one per year, with growth and maturation being relatively fast. Most species prefer quiet water, including pools of streams and rivers. Some are completely submergent (living underwater), others are simequatic (using both land and water.)

The families within this order that are of primary interest to flyfishers are depicted below. The immature/larva stages of the water bugs are not of significant importance to fish, so we have not included graphics of their forms here.

"Water Striders"		Also called "skaters"; or "Jesus Bugs", because they walk on water. 40-50 species widespread in North America. Winged and non-winged species.
"Backswimmers"		Widespread family of swimming bugs - about 30 species in North America. Swim upside down in slower reaches of streams and rivers.
"Water Boatman"		Constitute the largest group of water bugs, with over 100 species occurring in North America. Often among the most common aquatic insects of ponds and shallow lakes. One or two generations per year.
"Creeping Water Bugs"		Vigorous swimmers found throughout much of eastern and central North America in ponds & swampy pools with abundant emergent vegetation.