Lesser water boatman

[Matt Smith]

Water-boatmen - Notanecta sp - the ones that hang upside down - are predatory and feed on inverts trapped in the surface film. They pack quite a painful bite - I have been bitten twice now and treat them with a lot more respect as a result.

Lesser Water-boatmen - Sigara / Corixa / Hesperocorixa et - the ones that swim "right way up" all are vegetarian. The front tarsus are designed to act as a pair of seives to trap algae or bacteria.

Both water-boatmen and lesser water-boatmen fly readily and usually arrive in a new pond or water body within a few days of it being created

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

Both water-boatmen and lesser water-boatmen fly readily...

Which evidently comes as quite a surprise to pond dipping teachers/parents, based on the screaming noises they make

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Well i never knew that , I always assumed they ate other insects. Very interesting. Sorry Deb you were right.

I'll forgive you.