Water scorpion  (Nepa cinerea)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The water scorpion is not a true scorpion, but is a large, aquatic insect that belongs to the order of insects known as the Hemiptera or 'bugs' (2). Its flattened body is greyish brown on the upper surface; the wings, which are held close to the body, and the abdomen below the wings are pink (3). All true bugs have sucking mouthparts, known as a rostrum or 'beak' (2). The water scorpion's first pair of legs are very powerful, and are used to seize prey, but the most notable feature is the remarkable 'tail', a thin projection from the rear of the bug which is used as a siphon, to take in air (3). Very young larvae seem to be 'tailless', as the tail grows at a different rate to the body (2).

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