Backswimmers are a family of water bugs, Notonectidae, that swim upside down, using their long, oar-like hind legs to propel themselves through the water. Found worldwide in ponds and slow-moving water, they are active predators that feed on other insects, tadpoles and small fish, and can deliver a painful bite to humans if handled. Their common name and the family name, from the Greek for back-swimmer, both describe this characteristic inverted swimming posture.
Facts
Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceConvex dorsum lightly colored without cross striations, front tarsi not scoop shaped, hind legs fringed for swimming 1 Scientific Name Sources
1. Wikipedia: Notonectidae
Introduction
Notonectidae is a cosmopolitan family of aquatic insects in the order Hemiptera
Introduction [distinguishing-appearance]
Their dorsum is convex, lightly colored without cross striations. Their front tarsi are not scoop-shaped and their hind legs are fringed for swimming.
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