Water Boatmen

Water boatmen (Family Corixidae) are one of the largest group of true water bugs in North America, with are an estimated 100 species. While they are similar in many ways to water beetles, their preferred habitats and feeding preferences vary widely. Some members are strictly herbivores, others are predators, omnivores, or detritivores. They live in a wide variety of habitats, as well. Some can be found in the swiftly moving waters of streams, while others are restricted to the calm shallow water of lakes, ponds, and coves. You may have seen these insects swimming and living successfully in a neighborhood swimming pool. As their name implies, they appear to be using oars as on a row boat to propel themselves through the water. A species that they are commonly confused with are the back swimmers. The back swimmers share many of the same habitat preferences and display a similar mode of transportation.