Notonectidae is a cosmopolitan family of aquatic insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly called backswimmers because they swim "upside down" (inverted). They are all predators and typically range from 0.5 to 1.5 cm (0.2–0.6 in) in length.[1] They are similar in appearance to Corixidae (water boatmen), but can be separated by differences in their dorsal-ventral coloration, front legs, and predatory behavior. Their dorsum is convex, lightly colored without cross striations. Their front tarsi are not scoop-shaped and their hind legs are fringed for swimming. There are about 350 species in two subfamilies: Notonectinae with seven genera, and Anisopinae with four genera. Members in the former subfamily are often larger than those in the latter.[2]
Backswimmers swim on their backs, vigorously paddling with their long, hair-fringed hind legs and attack prey as large as tadpoles and small fish. They can inflict a painful "bite" on a human being, actually a stab with their sharp tubular mouthparts (proboscis). They inhabit still freshwater, e.g. lakes, ponds, marshes, and are sometimes found in garden ponds and even swimming pools. Although primarily aquatic, they can fly well and so can disperse easily to new habitats.
Common backswimmer (Notonecta glauca)
The best-known genus of backswimmers is Notonecta – streamlined, deep-bodied bugs up to 1.6 cm (0.6 in) long, green, brown, or yellowish in colour. The common backswimmer, N. glauca, is widespread in Europe, including the United Kingdom where it is known as the greater water boatman.[3] Another of the same region, N. maculata, is distinguished by its mottled brick-coloured forewings.
In contrast to other aquatic insects that cling to submerged objects, the two genera Anisops and Buenoa uses a unique system to stay submerged: using the extra oxygen supply from haemoglobin in their abdomen, instead of using oxygen dissolved in the water. The size of these air bubbles, which provide buoyancy, changes as the nitrogen dissolves into the blood and the oxygen is used in respiration. This allows for regulation of the size of the air bubbles and their concentration of oxygen.[4][5][6]
^Randall T. Schuh; James Alexander Slater (1996). True Bugs of the World (Hemiptera:Heteroptera): Classification and Natural History (2 ed.). Cornell University Press. pp. 127–129. ISBN 978-0801420665.
^Julianna Freires Barbosa; José Ricardo Inacio Ribeiro; Jorge Luiz Nessimian (2012). "A synopsis of Martarega White, 1879 (Insecta: Heteroptera: Notonectidae) occurring in the Brazilian Amazonia, with descriptions of three new species". Journal of Natural History. 46 (17–18): 1025–1057. doi:10.1080/00222933.2011.651645.
^BBC Science and nature factfiles: Water boatman, common backswimmer Retrieved on 2008-07-26
^physorg.com: Gold Strike in Science World Retrieved on 2008-07-26
^Diving insects use buoyancy vests New Scientist 2006-04-11 p.19 Retrieved on 2008-07-26
^Characterization of the hemoglobin of the backswimmer Anisops deanei (Hemiptera)
Notonectidae is a cosmopolitan family of aquatic insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly called backswimmers because they swim "upside down" (inverted)...
defence; some, like the common backswimmer (Notonecta glauca) of the Notonectidae can easily pierce the skin of humans and deliver a wound often more painful...
out. Stridulatory sounds are produced among the aquatic Corixidae and Notonectidae (backswimmers) using tibial combs rubbed across rostral ridges. Hemipterans...
United Kingdom for Notonecta glauca, an insect of a different family, Notonectidae. Corixa punctata is the "lesser water boatman". Corixidae generally have...
Notonecta indica is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, Oceania, and...
Notonecta spinosa is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America. "Notonecta spinosa Report". Integrated Taxonomic...
Notonecta maculata is a backswimmer of the family Notonectidae, found in Europe, including the United Kingdom. Notonecta maculata are small, light brown...
Notonecta unifasciata is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in Central America, North America, and South America. These three...
known by the common name grousewinged backswimmer, are from the family Notonectidae and the insect suborder Heteroptera. They are a type of hemipteran or...
Notonecta borealis is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America. "Notonecta borealis Report". Integrated Taxonomic...
glauca. Berchi, G.M. (2013). "Checklist and distribution of the family Notonectidae in Romania, with the first record of Notonecta maculata Fabricius, 1794...
kirbyi, or Kirby's backswimmer, is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America. "Notonecta kirbyi Report". Integrated...
This is a list of aquatic heteropteran bug species recorded in Britain. Nepa cinerea Ranatra linearis Micronecta scholtzi Micronecta griseola Micronecta...
(Heteroptera: Notonectidae) de Colombia". Agronomía Colombiana (in Spanish). 21 (1–2): 49–53. Nieser, N. (1970). "Records of the South American Notonectidae, mainly...
Notonecta uhleri is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America. "Notonecta uhleri Report". Integrated Taxonomic...
Notonecta insulata is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America. "Notonecta insulata Report". Integrated Taxonomic...
Buenoa confusa is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in the Caribbean, Central America, and North America. "Buenoa confusa...
Notonecta lobata is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in Central America and North America. "Notonecta lobata Report". Integrated...
Buenoa marki is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is only known from the solution holes near the Pinelands Trail in Everglades National...
common backswimmers, is a genus of backswimmer insects in the family Notonectidae. Species in this genus include: Notonecta borealis Notonecta glauca Notonecta...
Notonecta lunata is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America. "Notonecta lunata Report". Integrated Taxonomic...
Padilla-Gil, Dora N. "Five new species of Buenoa (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Notonectidae) from Colombia." Zootaxa 2411 (2010): 22-32. PADILLA, DORA NANCY. "Spatial...
Padilla-Gil, Dora N. "Five new species of Buenoa (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Notonectidae) from Colombia." Zootaxa 2411 (2010): 22-32. PADILLA, DORA NANCY. "Spatial...
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