What does the name of a backswimmer mean?
The name tells you just about everything you need to know about members of the family Notonectidae. Backswimmers do just that; they swim upside down, on their backs. The scientific name Notonectidae originates from the Greek words notos, meaning back, and nektos, meaning swimming. A backswimmer is built like an upside-down boat.
What is the habitat of a backswimmer?
They thrive in stagnant water that is rich in aquatic vegetation for habitat. At first glance, these small aquatic insects are very similar in appearance to the water boatman. They are slender and ovaline in shape. This configuration allows the backswimmer to travel very efficiently through water.
How common are backswimmers in the UK?
Common. The Common backswimmer, also known as the 'Water Boatman', is widespread and common in ponds, ditches and canals across the UK. It can swim upside-down through the water, often near the surface where it grabs insects that have fallen into the water film.
What is the difference between a backswimmer and a water boatman?
Backswimmers are more commonly found in man-made water sources like pools, fountains, and bird baths, while water boatmen are rarely found in artificial sources such as these and much prefer natural, slow-moving waters like deep, still pools in creeks, ponds, lakes, and lazy rivers.
How do I get rid of backswimmers in my pool?
Add 2 or 3 teaspoons of liquid dish soap into the pool where the spotlight is shining. The waterbugs will come up for air and be drawn to the light. With the soap on the surface, they cannot penetrate the surface and will drown. Just scoop them up the next morning.
What happens if a backswimmer bites you?
The Backswimmer Bite When he attacks a human, or a dog, there is a painful reaction combined with a burning sensation, comparable to that of a bee sting. Although the bite generally isn't serious, a person who is sensitive to the toxin may have a more severe reaction.
How are backswimmers born?
Females take fertilized eggs beneath the water's surface to deposit them in safe locationsw along the bottom. Eggs may be buried in the mud or attached to source of shelters like plant leaves and debris. Adults can deposit eggs in depths of up to 30 feet, although they can lay them in shallow water as well.
Do Backswimmer bugs bite humans?
Backswimmers can fly and are attracted at night to artificial lights. They are quite clumsy out of water. People sometimes find these insects in swimming pools, where the insects end up after the night's flying excursion. Because they can bite, take care in handling them.
How do backswimmers get in your pool?
Water boatmen and backswimmers are different. They are attracted to the pool as a habitat and want to be in the water. How do they get in? Typically, one of two ways: either they fly in, or they are born there.
How many eggs does a backswimmer lay?
After mating, females lay white eggs usually in a bunch of ten or less, either on or inserted into the leaves and stems of aquatic vegetation. The eggs hatch in a few weeks and the nymphs, like the adults, are vigorous predators.
How long do back swimmers live?
Adult backswimmers usually top out at a measurement between 4 to 10 mm in length. They only live a couple of months, often dying soon after mating and laying eggs. Adult backswimmers usually appear around the month of July.
Do fish eat backswimmers?
In their choice of food, they compete with small fish, but then the big fish eat backswimmers. Each set of legs is used for a different function—their front legs are used for catching their prey; the middle pair holds the prey tight, and the flattened, hairy third pair acts as oars.
Do backswimmers eat each other?
Backswimmer Diet Backswimmers prey on other aquatic insects, including fellow backswimmers, as well as on tadpoles or small fish.
What kills water bugs instantly?
boric acidUse borax or boric acid—These natural elements will destroy a water bug's digestive tract, killing them from the inside out. Sprinkle a thin dusting of borax or boric acid in your basement, under sinks, and other areas where you've seen water bugs.
What does an infected bite look like?
a red or dark line extending from the bite. discoloration and swelling appearing around the bite. sores or abscesses on or around the bite. swollen glands (lymph nodes)
When should you worry about a bite?
a large area (around 10cm or more patch of skin) around the bite becomes red and swollen. you have symptoms of a wound infection, such as pus or increasing pain, swelling or redness. you have symptoms of a more widespread infection, such as a high temperature, swollen glands and other flu-like symptoms.
When should I be worried about a bite mark?
For serious bleeding, call your local emergency number, such as 911. There is swelling, redness, or pus draining from the wound. You notice red streaks that spread out from the wound. The bite is on the head, face, neck, or hands.
When should I worry about bug bite?
Significant swelling beyond the site of the sting or swelling in the face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat. Dizziness or trouble breathing or swallowing. You feel ill after being stung 10 times or more at once.
What is a backswimmer?
Backswimmer, (family Notonectidae), any of a group of insects (order Heteroptera) that occur worldwide and are named for their ability to swim on their backs, which are shaped like the keel and sides of a boat. The backswimmer uses its long oarlike legs for propulsion and has an oval-shaped head and an elongated body, ...
Why do backswimmers rise to the surface?
Because the backswimmer is lighter than water, it rises to the surface after releasing its hold on the bottom vegetation. Once at the surface, it may either leap out of the water and fly or get a fresh supply of air, which is stored in a bubble under its wings and around its body, and dive again.
How long is a backswimmer?
The backswimmer uses its long oarlike legs for propulsion and has an oval-shaped head and an elongated body, generally less than 15 mm (0.6 inch) in length . It is a good example of countershading, as its light-coloured back, seen from below, blends into the water surface and sky.
Why do crustaceans appear reddish?
The genus Buenoa, which usually floats or swims some distance below the surface, appears reddish or pinkish in colour because of the pigment (hemoglobin) contained in certain cells.
Where can I find backswimmers?
They can be found in almost any waterbody, including open water butts and water tanks. But beware if you handle them - their bite can be quite painful.
What is the scientific name for a common backswimmer?
Common backswimmer. Scientific name: Notonecta glauca. The fearsome Common backswimmer hunts insects, tadpoles and fish. It uses its oar-like legs to swim upside-down under the water's surface where unsuspecting prey can be found. Handle with care - it can inflict a painful bite!
What is a less water boatman?
Lesser water boatman. Similar to the Common backswimmer, the Lesser water boatman has oar-like legs to help it swim, but it does not swim upside-down. It is…. Action.
What is a backswimmer?
A backswimmer is built like an upside-down boat. The backswimmer's dorsal side is convex and V-shaped, like the keel of a boat. These aquatic insects use their long back legs as oars to propel themselves across the water. The rowing legs lack claws but are fringed with long hairs. The backswimmer's coloration is the opposite of most insects, presumably because they live their lives upside down. A backswimmer typically has a dark belly and a light-colored back. This makes them less conspicuous to predators as they backstroke around the pond.
What is the scientific name for a backswimmer?
The name tells you just about everything you need to know about members of the family Notonectidae. Backswimmers do just that; they swim upside down, on their backs. The scientific name Notonectidae originates from the Greek words notos, meaning back, and nektos, meaning swimming.
How many eyes does a backswimmer have?
It has two large eyes, positioned close together, but no ocelli. A cylindrical beak (or rostrum) folds neatly under the head. The short antennae, with just 3 to 4 segments, are almost hidden below the eyes. Like other Hemiptera, backswimmers have piercing, sucking mouthparts.
What is the purpose of the backswimmer?
These spaces allow the backswimmer to store air bubbles, from which it draws oxygen while submerged. When oxygen stores become low, it must breach the surface of the water to replenish the supply.
Can backswimmers bite?
Backswimmers can and will bite people if handled carelessly, so use caution when skimming specimens from a pond or lake. They've also been known to bite unsuspecting swimmers, a habit for which they've earned the nickname water wasps. Those who've felt the wrath of the backswimmer will tell you their bite feels quite like a bee sting .
Do backswimmers have wings?
Like other Hemiptera, backswimmers have piercing, sucking mouthparts. Adult backswimmers bear functional wings and will fly, though doing so requires them to first exit the water and right themselves. They grasp prey and cling to aquatic vegetation using their first and second pairs of legs.
Description of Backswimmers
Classification
Backswimmer Diet
Life Cycle
Special Adaptations and Behaviors
Range and Distribution
- Backswimmers inhabit ponds, freshwater pools, lake edges, and slow-moving streams. About 400 species are known throughout the world, but only 34 species inhabit North America.
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