What Is It?

• I’m a bottom-feeder most of the time.
• But my mate has another thing in mind.
• She packs all her eggs onto my back.
• And I keep them safe until they hatch.

This male giant water bug looks like something has laid eggs on its back. And something has — a female giant water bug. The male will protect the eggs until they hatch. During this time, he won’t fly or eat. When they’re not mating, giant water bugs can bite, paralyze, and suck the juices out of small prey like frogs, fish, turtles, and snakes. The giant water bug’s other name? Toe-biter. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/field-guide.