waterboatmen
Pond bugs with oars
Waterboatmen are small aquatic insects that swim on their backs near the surface of ponds and streams, using their long hind legs like oars.
They're common in freshwater habitats and feed on algae and plant matter.
Also called water boatmen or backswimmers, though backswimmers are technically a related but distinct family.
Bug that swims inverted
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- aquatic insectBug inhabiting freshwater
Locomotion through water
Primitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- detritusLoose waste from decay
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- predationHunting and consuming prey
- preyAnimal being hunted
fish food · bioindicator · food web · ecological niche · biodiversity · oxygenation
Small still body
- lakeEnclosed body of freshwater
- streamSteady continuous flow
- ditchShallow excavated channel
- puddleShallow collected rainwater
marsh · wetland · freshwater · vegetation · substrate · shallows · aquatic plants · lily pads
Gas pocket in liquid
- plastronVentral shell portion
- rostrumRaised speaker's platform
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- forewingsAnterior wing pair
antennae · compound eyes · thorax · abdomen · stridulation · tympanum
Nature spirit or larva
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- eggReproductive cell in shell
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
mating · overwintering · dispersal · flight · colonization · breeding · oviposition · hatching
backswimmer
Bug that swims inverted
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- aquatic insectBug inhabiting freshwater
swimming
Locomotion through water
paddling · foraging · basking · aggregation
algae
Primitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- detritusLoose waste from decay
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- predationHunting and consuming prey
prey · fish food · bioindicator · food web · ecological niche · biodiversity · oxygenation
pond
Small still body
puddle · marsh · wetland · freshwater · vegetation · substrate · shallows · aquatic plants · lily pads · reeds
air bubble
Gas pocket in liquid
- plastronVentral shell portion
- rostrumRaised speaker's platform
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
forewings · antennae · compound eyes · thorax · abdomen · stridulation · tympanum
nymph
Nature spirit or larva
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- eggReproductive cell in shell
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
molting · mating · overwintering · dispersal · flight · colonization · breeding · oviposition · hatching · adult