backswimmer
Upside-down water bug
A backswimmer is a small aquatic insect that swims upside down, propelling itself with oar-like hind legs just beneath the water's surface.
The name describes the behavior directly—it swims on its back.
Backswimmers are predatory, feeding on other insects and small aquatic creatures, and can deliver a painful bite if handled.
Small still body
- waterClear essential liquid
- surfaceOutermost boundary layer
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- lakeEnclosed body of freshwater
stream · wetland · habitat · buoyancy · underwater · diving · ripples · currents
Organism that consumes others
- preyAnimal being hunted
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- bitePierce with teeth
- stingSharp wound from insect
hunt · capture · carnivore · tadpoles · small fish · digestive enzymes · painful bite · aggressive
Aquatic beetle or roach
- entomologyStudy of insects
- nymphNature spirit or larva
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
arthropod · metamorphosis · larva · instar · antennae · water boatman · aquatic insect · compound eyes
Camouflage via tonal gradient
- crypticObscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
pond
Small still body
- waterClear essential liquid
- surfaceOutermost boundary layer
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
lake · stream · wetland · habitat · buoyancy · underwater · diving · ripples · currents · aquatic plants
predator
Organism that consumes others
sting · hunt · capture · carnivore · tadpoles · small fish · digestive enzymes · painful bite · aggressive · water flea
waterbug
Aquatic beetle or roach
- entomologyStudy of insects
- nymphNature spirit or larva
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
invertebrate · arthropod · metamorphosis · larva · instar · antennae · water boatman · aquatic insect · compound eyes
countershading
Camouflage via tonal gradient
- crypticObscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- freshwater lifecatfish, trout, bass, salmon, frog
- predatory invertebratespraying mantis, mantis, dragonfly, assassin bug, ground beetle
- water insectswater strider, water boatman, water bug, water beetle, giant water bug
- water bugsgiant water bug, water strider, water boatman, water scorpion, pond skater
- blood feedersmosquito, tick, flea, louse, bedbug
- bloodsuckersmosquito, tick, flea, leech, bedbug