Water scorpions belong to Hemiptera, order of insects. These creatures have six legs and two pair of wings on either side. They are not related to scorpions in any way. They are called so because of the presence of grasping forelimbs that makes them look very similar to a scorpion.
There are 2 main species of water scorpions, namely Ranatra and Nepa. The former species look like elongated sticks. They are dull beige in color and use their wings for flying from one place to the other. The Nepa species on the other hand are dark brown in color and appear like flattened broad leaves. Their wings are functionless. Water scorpions can reach a length of 1 to 2 inches.
They are very slow movers. They do not display any swift or agile movement. They lazily swim across a pond or lake. They are also found on seashores. They are not good swimmers either. They have a siphon shaped tail. This feature also makes them look like a scorpion. However, unlike scorpions, these aquatic insects do not have any special stinging features or modifications on their tails.
They use these tails or siphons for respiration. Unlike other aquatic insects, these creatures do not make use of dissolved oxygen in water. They make use of atmospheric oxygen present on the surface of water.
A siphon has a couple of respiratory tubes attached together. The younger nymphs of water scorpions do not have specialized matured organs like siphons. These creatures make use of pores or spiracles present on their abdomen for respiration.
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