| Backswimmer
These bugs swim upside down on or near the surface of the water, with their legs up!
What they look like:
Backswimmers can be recognised by their curved back,
a broad 'keel' on the abdomen, large eyes that occupy
most of the head, and long, hairy hind legs for swimming.
Size:
Up to 11 mm long.
Where they live:
Backswimmers are found throughout Australia in still
and slow-flowing ponds, rice fields, canals and rivers.
They spend most of their time in water but can fly from
pond to pond.
What they eat:
Backswimmers eat smaller aquatic animals, including
bloodworms and aquatic larvae. They are predators (stalking
other insects), with sucking mouthparts.
Pollution
tolerance. Very tolerant, rating 1.
While they can withstand pretty unhealthy water,
Backswimmers will fly from one pond to another if
the conditions get really bad. |
What’s interesting about
Backswimmers?
|
