Dragonflies, one of many aquatic bugs in Oregon, lay their eggs in water.
The temperate climate of Oregon is an ideal location for numerous insects, spiders and other bug species. Several of these bugs live in and around water. An insect is defined as aquatic when it spends at least one portion of its life cycle in water, according to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Though some aquatic bugs can bite or sting, they play a vital role in Oregon's ecosystem and can protect human health by eating common pests like mosquitoes. To identify aquatic bugs, it's helpful to notice as much detail about their appearance, habitat and behavior as possible.
Instructions
1. Count the bug's legs. If it has eight, it's a spider. Nursery web spiders, occasionally referred to as fishing spiders, are among the most common aquatic arachnids. They build nests strictly for the purpose of laying eggs and hunt via sight. Commonly found near lakes and ponds, they can walk across the top of water and eat small fish and insects.
2. Observe the bug's body shape. Bugs with oval-shaped abdomens and hairy legs may be springtails. These are among the oldest arthropods on earth and are classified as hexapods rather than insects because their mouthparts are internal. They come in a huge variety of colors and there are several species of springtail located in Oregon. Springtails are frequently found in decaying leaves near lakes, and several species fish at the water's surface.
3. Keep an eye out for bugs with a long, slender body. If you see one, it is likely one of the most familiar aquatic insects, the water-measurer. These bugs are referred to as water skates, water bugs and water skimmers and are members of the order Hemiptera. Be careful around these bugs. Most water-measurer species are are carnivores and can inflict painful bites on people.
4. Look for large, pinching mouthparts. If the bug also has a round, flattened body and a tiny head, it may be a water scorpion. Water scorpions are not related to scorpions but are named for their superficial resemblance. While some species of water scorpions can inflict a very painful bite, most are docile and will not bite. These insects are sometimes referred to as needle bugs and water sticks.
5. Check for large, brightly-colored wings. The insect may be a dragonfly or damselfly. Though these insects do not live in water as adults, females lay their eggs in water. Larvae complete their development in water and adults prefer to live near water. These large insects are beneficial to people and feed on numerous pests, including mosquitoes.
Tags: aquatic bugs, bugs water, eggs water, near lakes, several species