desert bugs - Top That! Publishing

WATER BABIES
Next time you’re at the riverbank, take a closer look – it’s a haven for a
world of water insects. Most insects breathe through the holes or gills in the
sides of their bodies and would suffocate without any air. Water or ‘aquatic’
insects are specially adapted to living in water.
What’s so special about whirligigs
The whirligig is one of the only water beetles able to
swim on the water’s surface. It uses its legs like paddles
to row its way across the water and can be seen
whirling about in groups. Whirligigs have special eyes
that allow them to see both above and below the water
at the same time.
What do giant water bugs eat
The giant water bug, or ‘fish killer,’ is one of the largest
aquatic insects, and is a scary underwater predator. It
likes to eat small fish, frogs,
snails and tadpoles. It can grow
up to 7 cm (3 in.) in
length. Adult water bugs
cannot breathe
underwater, so surface
regularly for air. They
breathe through a
specially modified tail
which acts like
A giant water bug.
46
Which insect can walk on water
The aptly named pond skater, or water strider, has a
long, narrow body and six spindly legs. It stays afloat
thanks to special water-repellent hairs that cover its
underside. If you’re lucky enough to see one, you can
watch how it uses its hind legs as rudders and its
middle legs to propel itself across the surface of the
water. Its short forelegs help it to catch prey.
A pond skater.
What is a water tiger
The water tiger is a beetle. Named due to its ferocious
nature and enormous appetite, water tigers have
extremely powerful jaws. They use these to great effect
when disembowelling tadpoles or penetrating the flesh
of beetles before devouring them!