Re: Water Scorpion

[Roger Rohrbeck]

Andy-   Your description is both vivid and accurate.   Some supplemental taxonomic information is that Water Scorpions belong to the order of True Bugs (Heteroptera) and the suborder of Aquatic True Bugs (Nemoptera).  The family of Water Scorpions is (Nepidae).  Further, your specimen is likely of genus, Ranatra.   Roger Rohrbeck www.FlyfishingEmtomology.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Andy To: waflyfishers@waflyfishers.com Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2005 8:36 AM Subject: RE: looking for trip ideas Cross a walking stick with a preying mantis (long skinny bug, with long legs grouped in the middle, a very long tail, and long forelegs/mandibles about 2.5-3" overall, but a lot of that length is made up of very skinny appendages,) color it the same color as a reed, and look for it in the margins of rich lakes (underwater.) If I read correctly, it breathes by sticking its tail up in to the surface film. Eats small nymphs/crustaceans. I am sure that there is someone out there that can do the description better justice... Andy -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Spencer Harker Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2005 7:13 PM To: waflyfishers@waflyfishers.com Subject: RE: looking for trip ideas Hey Andy,, What is a water scorpion?