Question Water bugs

Adam R · 06-30-2009, 11:28 PM

I am not sure what they are called but they are black and always on the top of the water usually in bunches not just one or two. Well my question is why don't the fish ever seem to eat them? I would think they would be a pretty easy meal for a hungry fish. I wonder if they taste funky or are dangerous for them to eat.

I have also heard before if they are there then there isn't any fish nearby, is there any truth to this? They are fun to watch move across the water but what purpose do they serve?

Realmwalker · 07-01-2009, 12:01 AM

What I believe you are seeing are Backswimmers or Water Striders.

They both "skate" across the surface, although the backswimmers will occasionally dive under the surface. They are consumed often by fish like bulegills, carp, bass, and trout, but a few hits on the surface and they get out of there.
They will congregate in areas where the fish are not, simply because they have to do so in order to be undisturbed, but they often do not "know" fish are present until they lose a few and have to move on.

I hope I hepled!

Adam R · 07-01-2009, 10:31 PM

A quick word from you know who.

Quote:

Whirligig beetles!

Whirligig beetle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1152x864 and weights 234KB.

They do get eaten by fish and other critters, but their grouping behavior helps to confuse predators and they can secrete a foul-tasting liquid if threatened. If you find some water that has no predatory fish to eat them, you will find A LOT more whirligig beetles.

Would you believe they can also fly? And would you believe they have one set of eyes for seeing above the surface of the water and another set of eyes for seeing below the surface?

From what I can find, they apparently prey upon other insects in the water.

Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
daryl.bauer@nebraska.gov
Barbs and Backlashes

P.S. Please feel free to share this message with others.

playin4funami · 07-01-2009, 11:48 PM

thanks Daryl,I learned something new today,didn't know that they could fly or that they had two sets of eyes!

06-30-2009, 11:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Adam R Adam R has no status. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Omaha Posts: 650 Thanks: 124 Thanked 65 Times in 56 Posts	Water bugs I am not sure what they are called but they are black and always on the top of the water usually in bunches not just one or two. Well my question is why don't the fish ever seem to eat them? I would think they would be a pretty easy meal for a hungry fish. I wonder if they taste funky or are dangerous for them to eat. I have also heard before if they are there then there isn't any fish nearby, is there any truth to this? They are fun to watch move across the water but what purpose do they serve? __________________ "I think Nebraska fans are the greatest fans in all of college football. The enthusiasm here is as good as anyplace, but the integrity here of the fans is the best in America. They have a respect for the game not only for the Nebraska team but for the opponents. The best place I have ever been, right here." -Lee Corso

07-01-2009, 12:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
Realmwalker Realmwalker is looking for NE muskies! Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Omaha Posts: 86 Thanks: 34 Thanked 57 Times in 19 Posts	What I believe you are seeing are Backswimmers or Water Striders. They both "skate" across the surface, although the backswimmers will occasionally dive under the surface. They are consumed often by fish like bulegills, carp, bass, and trout, but a few hits on the surface and they get out of there. They will congregate in areas where the fish are not, simply because they have to do so in order to be undisturbed, but they often do not "know" fish are present until they lose a few and have to move on. I hope I hepled! __________________ To catch list: Long-nose Gar Short-nose Gar Paddlefish Shovelnose Sturgeon Wiper (believe it or not...lol) Rainbow Trout Steelhead Trout Cutthroat Trout These are the major game fish of Nebraska that I have yet to catch in my lifetime.

07-01-2009, 11:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
playin4funami playin4funami is thinking about fishing Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 508 Thanks: 74 Thanked 208 Times in 128 Posts	thanks Daryl,I learned something new today,didn't know that they could fly or that they had two sets of eyes! __________________ "Treat life like a comedy,play for the laughs" "the older I get and the more I know,the less interest I have in being an adult"

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