This long, stick like bug is dark brown in colour with long legs and a long, narrow breathing tube which protrudes from its rear end.
Latin name: Ranatra linearis
Size: Up to 50mm
Overview
Spending most of its time hanging onto the side of vegetation in deeper ponds, where it is very well camouflaged. It is similar to the Water Scorpion and uses its strong front legs to grab hold of passing prey. Small prey, such as water lice are its food of choice, and like other predatory bugs, it injects its prey with saliva to digest and eat them. It breathes by poking the long breathing tube at the rear of its body out of the water.
In the garden
Still ponds with plenty of vegetation will attract this species, though it is only found in the south of the country and won’t really be seen any further north than Nottinghamshire. Another useful predator for your pond, it also provides food for organisms which are higher up the food chain, such as fish or ducks.