Water Scorpion

Natural Habitat

Slow-moving or stagnant freshwater bodies with abundant vegetation, such as ponds, ditches, and the margins of lakes. They often cling to submerged plants or lie motionless on the bottom.

Diet & Feeding

Predatory. They ambush small aquatic insects, tadpoles, and small fish, capturing them with their raptorial forelegs.

Behavior Patterns

They are ambush predators, often remaining motionless among vegetation waiting for prey. They breathe air through a long tail-like siphon at their posterior end, which they extend to the water surface. They are poor swimmers and prefer to crawl.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans, though they can deliver a painful bite if handled (not venomous). In aquatic ecosystems, they act as natural pest control by preying on insect larvae and other small invertebrates, contributing to the balance of the ecosystem.

Identified on: 9/20/2025