[Both] Canon 300D, tripod
Metz 40MZ-3i flash off-camera
ISO 100
[Top] Vivitar bellows
Vivitar 135mm 2.8
1/100 second, f22
[Bottom] Mamiya 80mm macro w/ extension
1/80 second, f16

Proud daddy
giant water bug Belostoma flumineum with eggs and newborn
Giant water bugs (Belostoma flumineum, sometimes called 'electric light bugs') are interesting insects. While they can spend time out of the water, they're much more often found swimming and diving after prey, which might be just about anything. They breathe through a 'snorkel' at the hind end of their abdomen, so they're often found head-down right at the surface, sipping air through their backsides. The female attaches her eggs to the male's back where they remain until they hatch, and the young hang around only briefly before going off on their own, since they can become prey for other water bugs if the food is scarce. Dad here is roughly 20-23mm in length, making the newborn around 4mm, or half the length of a housefly.

giant water bug Belostoma flumineum with snail preyThe larger species can be seen to capture minnows, but even the smaller ones vie for the title of apex predator, and seem to tackle a lot of food sources I never would have suspected – this little specimen is dining on a snail (for an idea of scale, that's duckweed in the background.) Unlike many of the other aquatic subjects I've tackled, water bugs are remarkably easy since they'll hold still at the surface for long periods of time and can even be nudged closer to the aquarium's glass. Even when spooked, they'll swim frantically around for only a minute before picking a nice spot to pose again, much like adult dragonflies. You have to appreciate such cooperation.