Another Aquatic Minibeast for ID

jdoherty · #1 (**permalink**) 21-07-2009, 03:57 PM

I found this minibeast in a small pond at the bottom of an old quarry in the Belfast Hills. I've included shots of upper and underside to help with ID. I'd appreciate any help with ID.

Thanks, John.

Adam Cheeseman · #2 (**permalink**) 21-07-2009, 04:03 PM

That's a Greater Water Boatman aka Backswimmer. Notonecta glauca

Cheers,

Adam

Malcolm Banks · #3 (**permalink**) 21-07-2009, 07:06 PM

I agree it looks just like N glauca in all respects other than the colour. I've seen variatiions on the brown colouration, but never a green one

Is this a regional Irish variety?

M

Adam Cheeseman · #4 (**permalink**) 21-07-2009, 07:09 PM

I get quite a few looking like this so it's quite normal. I suspect it's to do with the young age of the bug rather rhan any regional deviance to the norm.

Cheers,

Adam

jdoherty · #5 (**permalink**) 21-07-2009, 07:28 PM

I've also recently taken photos of three other Water Boatmen which I posted in this thread for ID. I'd appreciate if both of you could also look at these pics.

John

Three Water Boatmen?

jdoherty · #6 (**permalink**) 21-07-2009, 07:32 PM

I should also have said that there were lots of these 'greenish' water boatman in the rivers and ponds near Glenside Quarry in the Belfast Hills so it appears to be quite a common colour variety.

John

Malcolm Banks · #7 (**permalink**) 22-07-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdoherty

I've also recently taken photos of three other Water Boatmen which I posted in this thread for ID. I'd appreciate if both of you could also look at these pics.

John

Three Water Boatmen?

Slightly confused

since your 3 WB images were posted on a different thread and correctly ID'd as N glauca (IMO).

Still intrigued by the green N glauca though. Adam, you say you have these locally, are they all green or a mixed population?
M