Water Scorpions, Water Stick-Insects Ranatra spp. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Nepidae)
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Griffith, Taryn, and Jennifer Gillett-Kaufman. 2021. “Water Scorpions, Water Stick-Insects Ranatra Spp. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Nepidae): EENY-758/IN1308, 5/2020”. EDIS 2021 (2). Gainesville, FL:3. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in1308-2020.

Abstract

Commonly mistaken for other objects due to its appearance, hence the common name water stick-insect, this slender reddish-brown insect is commonly found in fresh or brackish water (a mix of salt and fresh water) (Anufriyeva et al. 2016). They are ambush predators and will spend most of its time in the water waiting for prey. They are limited to the length of their raptorial forearms in terms of catching prey. In the southeastern United States, these insects are commonly referred to as water scorpions.

Also published on the Featured Creatures website at http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/AQUATIC/Ranatra.html

https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in1308-2020
view on EDIS
PDF-2020

References

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Bailey P. 1986. "The feeding behavior of a sit-and-wait predator, Ranatra dispar, (Heteroptera: Nepidae): Description of behavioural components of prey capture, and the effect of food deprivation on predator arousal and capture dynamics." Behavior 97: 66-93. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853986X00324

Bick G, Hornuff L, Lambremont E. 1953. "An ecological reconnaissance of a natural acid stream in southern Louisiana." Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science 28: 229.

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Herring J. 1951. "The aquatic and semiaquatic Hemiptera of north Florida. Part 3: Nepidae, Belostomatidae, Notonectidae, Pleidae, and Corixidae." Florida Entomologist 34: 18-29. https://doi.org/10.2307/3492489

Wright J. 1997. Water scorpions. Northern State University. The Natural Source. https://www3.northern.edu/natsource/INVERT1/Waters1.htm. Accessed September 7, 2019.

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