Water Boatman | Hainault Forest

Water Boatman

Corixidae

Water boatmen belong to a family of aquatic bugs containing around 500 species worldwide. They tend to have four long rear legs and two short front ones. The forelegs are covered with hairs and shaped like oars. These bugs can fly. This particular specimen was attracted to ultraviolet light being emitted from a moth trap. It was placed in a petri dish containing water to show it swimming right side up. There is another group of insects known as 'Lesser water boatmen' or 'Backswimmers' that usually swim upside down and tend to spend less time at the surface. Water boatman have long spiked mouthparts for puncturing and sucking prey. Their bite is venomous and they have no hesitation in using that spike and venom if handled.

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