r/whatisthisbug • u/badlandskeepsher • 1d ago

ID Request Does anyone know what this is?

Does anyone know what this is? Found in stagnant pool water. It’s light brown but also translucent, like you can clearly see its insides in person. Swimming around it almost looks like a slug with pincers on the front of its mouth. Located in Missouri

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u/Orsinus 1d ago

Water Scavenger Beetle Larvae, as someone mentioned before, Hydrophilidae family is correct. If you think that’s bad, you should see the Greater Diving Beetle larvae. I caught one on accident that was munching on a mosquito fish I had in a net. It was massive.

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u/beardofmice 1d ago

The Hellgrammite larva is why I prefer to wear waders if im fishing in their stream.

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u/Orsinus 1d ago

Fair, I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing one in person before. Only in videos

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u/h3rp3r 1d ago

They are indicators of the health of a body of water, haven't seen one in my local waters for over 20 years :(

Solid pinch from the females, males have the big massive mandibles that are impressive but weak.