Koi and Water Bugs

Artist:      Shoosty®  Year:     2023

Medium: Duplex Printed Ink on 18mm Silk Twill 

Size:      50” x 50” 

Koi fish, water bugs, and dragonflies are all aquatic animals that share a common habitat: ponds. They have a complex relationship with each other, involving predation, competition, and coexistence.

Koi fish are large, colorful carp that are often kept as ornamental fish in ponds. They are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods.

Water bugs are insects that live in or on the water, belonging to various families of the order Hemiptera. They include giant water bugs, water striders, water scorpions, and backswimmers. Water bugs are predators that feed on other insects, snails, fish, frogs, and even small birds. Water bugs may also be preyed upon by dragonflies or their nymphs.

Dragonflies are insects that belong to the order Odonata, along with damselflies. They are characterized by their large eyes, long bodies, and four transparent wings. Dragonflies spend most of their lives as nymphs in the water, where they feed on other aquatic insects, worms, snails, and small fish. Dragonflies can prey on water bugs or koi fish. Dragonflies emerge from the water as adults after several months or years of development. They fly in the air and feed on flying insects, such as mosquitoes, flies, bees, and butterflies. Dragonflies are beneficial for ponds as they help control the population of mosquitoes and other pests that could harm the fish or the pond ecosystem.

Koi fish, water bugs, and dragonflies are part of a complex food web that involves predation, competition, and coexistence. They also play important roles in maintaining the health and balance of the pond ecosystem.

The composition feels like Chinese writing with a top-down flow. Shoosty’s Koi and Water Bugs and a pleasing contemplative arrangement flowing and peaceful, co-existing