The giant water bug is a large insect. Its body is about 45 mm long and is dark brown. It has long legs for swimming and catching its food. It also has wings and can fly. It keeps its wings folded on its back when it is in the water.

Giant water bugs have a breathing tube at the end of their folded wings which is like a snorkel.  They use this to get air to breathe. The water bug's back legs are shaped like paddles and they have long hairs on them to help them swim.

Giant water bugs eat small fish, tadpoles, salamanders, even small frogs. They may hide behind a rock and when they see something moving  past they reach out and grab it with their hook-tipped front legs. They will also swim after their prey to catch them. Large fish, wading birds like herons, raccoons and muskrats will eat giant water bugs. The bugs stay still to hide from their enemies, but will bite with their pointy beak if they are attacked.

Giant water bugs live in ponds, marshes, lakes and slow moving rivers and streams. The female glues about 50 eggs, in a small bunch, to the stems of plants which are just above the surface of the water. The male water bug stays near the eggs to protect them.  The eggs take two weeks to hatch. Then the water bug larvae swim off to look for food. They eat tiny water animals and other small insects. Giant water bugs often fly around looking for new places to live or to find other water bugs for mates.  They fly mainly at night and are attracted to electric lights.

Back to Animals of Manitoba.