Ranatra Water Scorpion

Description:

The body of the Brown Water Scorpion resembles that of a terrestrial stick insect and is yellowish-tan to dark brown in color. Others, including those in the North American genus Nepa, are flattened in appearance. The front legs are raptorial (designed for grasping) and superficially similar to those of a praying mantis. Unlike a mantis, however, the terminal segments of the Water Scorpion’s front legs fit into a groove when not in use, and swing out like folding knives when needed. These hook-like leg tips can be seen in the photo showing a Water Scorpion poised just below a guppy. The middle and hind legs are about as long as the body, and paired breathing tubes are situated at the end of the abdomen. This species reaches 1.75 inches in length (to approximately 3 inches including the breathing tube). Water Scorpions can fly, but do so only rarely.

Habitat:

Poorly adapted for swimming, Water Scorpions favor the still waters of ponds, swamps, lake edges and canals, where they remain immobile among plants and sticks. The photo of my nephew “waiting in ambush” shows their typical habitat.