Ok, so this creature is so amazingly thin and light that it can walk on water, which is what I nearly did getting out of the pool when I found it creeping towards me! It probably was just curious of that blob in the pool (me), whose eyes were bugging out almost as much as the bug’s.
Actually I was more excited about its appearance than what it might do to me, and I got out quickly to get the phone to take its photo. An internet search of “really skinny bugs” quickly fetched its ID. It is called a water stick due to its appearance.
Its “feelers” in front are actually “raptorial” forelegs that are used to capture prey like a praying mantis. They also have short “beaks” on their mouth for injecting prey with “tranquilizers and tenderizers.” The beaks are said to be capable of penetrating skin, which I am quite happy to say I can not confirm.
The “tail” is actually a breathing apparatus that the water stick uses as it goes under water in pursuit of its prey. Of course if it can breath out its backside, I can’t help but wonder whether it might actually be able to talk out of its…well, never mind, I will leave that to people.
Eskildoodle Photos and Feelings 