water bug

Other forms: water bugs

Definitions of water bug

1. noun

   a true bug: large aquatic bug adapted to living in or on the surface of water
   types:

   giant water bug

   large water bug with piercing and sucking mouthparts; feeds on young fishes

   water scorpion

   long-legged aquatic insect having the front legs fitted for seizing and holding prey and the abdomen extended by a long breathing tube

   boat bug, water boatman

   carnivorous aquatic bug having paddle-like hind legs

   pond-skater, water skater, water strider

   long-legged bug that skims about on the surface of water

   Gerris lacustris, common pond-skater

   a variety of water strider

   type of:

   heteropterous insect

   true bugs: insects whose forewings are membranous but have leathery tips
2. noun

   small light-brown cockroach brought to United States from Europe; a common household pest
   synonyms: Blattella germanica, Croton bug, German cockroach, crotonbug

   type of:

   cockroach, roach

   any of numerous chiefly nocturnal insects; some are domestic pests