2007-02-19 21:54:40 · 7 answers · asked by miska 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
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Water boatmen, or common backswimmer, formally the family Corixidae, are a type of insect. They inhabit freshwater ponds, where they swim about on the surface with two large legs that resemble oars, giving rise to their name. There are over 500 different known species.
Water boatmen generally have an elongated ovoid brown, green, or grey body, between 3 and 20 mm in length, with two long rear legs and four short front ones.
They swim on the surface of water upside-down, carrying out gas exchange through spiracles on their ventral side, with hairs used to create a pocket of air to prevent water covering them. This air pocket can given them a silvery appearance from above. Adult examples can also use their wings to fly between ponds.
When the surface of the water vibrates or is otherwise disturbed a Water Boatman will dive, jab their prey with their feeding tube and so inject their saliva, which is toxic. They eat tadpoles, other aquatic insects, and even small fish.
The reproductive cycle of Water Boatmen is annual, with mating between December and May, after which eggs are laid in the stems of aquatic plants.
The water boatman's bite is quite painful. It is otherwise harmless.
2007-02-19 22:02:22 · answer #1 · answered by mallimalar_2000 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As the previous answerer said, it's an insect. For a better answer, move the question to biology. (By the way they are lovely insects and get their name because they can "skate" across the top of the water on their legs).
2007-02-20 05:58:50 · answer #2 · answered by portiaeliot1966 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any of various aquatic insects of the families Corixidae and Notonectidae, having long oarlike hind legs adapted for swimming.
The name is sometimes also used for the backswimmers, genus Notonecta, which are superficially similar, but which can fly and which belong to a different family (Notonectidae) of bugs.
2007-02-20 06:04:17 · answer #3 · answered by nra_man58 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A fresh water insect
2007-02-22 07:50:23 · answer #4 · answered by zfdreamy56 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an insect the uses the surface tension of water to stand, and walk on the water's surface.... like a mini brown jesus
2007-02-20 05:58:18 · answer #5 · answered by coolmoejay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A freshwater pond water skating insect.
2007-02-20 05:56:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A freshwater insect that looks like it skips on water.
2007-02-20 10:03:24 · answer #7 · answered by Suzy-Q 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋