Common backswimmer

The fearsome common backswimmer hunts insects, tadpoles and fish. It uses its oar-like legs to swim upside-down under the water's surface where unsuspecting prey can be found.

Species information

Statistics

Length: 1.4cm

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

January to December

About

The common backswimmer is widespread and common in ponds, ditches and canals across the UK. It can swim upside-down through the water, often near the surface where it grabs insects that have fallen into the water film. It is an active and voracious predator, hunting many smaller invertebrates, tadpoles and small fish. Sensing the vibrations of its prey, it charges at it with lightning speed and stabs it with its 'beak', injecting toxic saliva into the wound so it can suck out the contents of the body. Common backswimmers mate between December and May, laying eggs from February onwards. The larvae go through a number of moults before reaching adulthood.

How to identify

The common backswimmer is light brown with large, reddish eyes. It has powerful, oar-like hind legs, which it uses as paddles when it swims upside-down. Its body resembles the shape of a boat. It may have a silvery appearance due to trapped air bubbles on its lower surface, which allow it to breathe.

Lesser water boatmen (commonly referred to as water boatmen) look similar to common backswimmers, but they swim on their front and tend to spend less time at the surface.

Distribution

Widespread.

Habitats

Did you know?

There are actually four species of backswimmer (family Notonectidae) in the UK. Backswimmers are sometimes known as 'greater water boatmen', but the term backswimmer is used to avoid confusion with the similar 'lesser water boatmen' (family Corixidae). They can be found in almost any waterbody, including open water butts and water tanks. But beware if you handle them - their bite can be quite painful.