Notonecta

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Notonecta
Temporal range: Aptian–Present
Notonecta maculata MHNT.jpg
Notonecta maculata
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Notonecta

Linnaeus, 1758

Notonecta, known as backswimmers or water-boatmen, is a genus of bugs in the family Notonectidae. Species in this genus include: [1] [2] [3]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Notonectidae</span> Family of true bugs

Notonectidae is a cosmopolitan family of aquatic insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly called backswimmers because they swim "upside down" (inverted). They are all predators and typically range from 0.5 to 1.5 cm (0.2–0.6 in) in length. They are similar in appearance to Corixidae, but can be separated by differences in their dorsal-ventral coloration, front legs, and predatory behavior. Their dorsum is convex, lightly colored without cross striations. Their front tarsi are not scoop-shaped and their hind legs are fringed for swimming. There are about 350 species in two subfamilies: Notonectinae with seven genera, and Anisopinae with four genera. Members in the former subfamily are often larger than those in the latter.

<i>Notonecta glauca</i> Species of true bug

Notonecta glauca, also known as the greater water-boatman or common backswimmer, is a species of aquatic insect in the family Notonectidae. This species is found in large parts of Europe, North Africa, and east through Asia to Siberia and China. In much of its range it is the most common backswimmer species. It is also the most widespread and abundant of the four British water-boatmen. Notonecta glauca are Hemiptera predators, that are approximately 13–16 mm in length. Females have a larger body size compared to males. These water insects swim and rest on their back and are found under the water surface. Notonecta glauca supports itself under the water surface by using their front legs and mid legs and the back end of its abdomen and rest them on the water surface; They are able to stay under the water surface by water tension, also known as the air-water interface. They use the hind legs as oars; these legs are fringed with hair and, when at rest, are extended laterally like a pair of sculls in a boat. Notonecta glauca will either wait for its prey to pass by or will swim and actively hunt its prey. When the weather is warm, usually in the late summer and autumn, they will fly between ponds. Notonecta glauca reproduce in the spring.

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<i>Notonecta maculata</i> Species of true bug

Notonecta maculata is a backswimmer of the family Notonectidae, found in Europe, including the United Kingdom.

<i>Notonecta undulata</i> Species of true bug

Notonecta undulata, also known by the common name grousewinged backswimmer, are from the family Notonectidae and the insect suborder Heteroptera. They are a type of hemipteran or true bug. These aquatic insects typically spend their time at the water's surface, using their abdomen and legs to cling to the underside of the surface tension. The Grousewinged backswimmer can be found in both lotic and lentic environments; however, they typically prefer small ponds and lakes where the water is slow-moving with less current. They swim upside down looking for prey. Once they stop swimming they float back up to the surface. These insects can be distinguished from water boatman or Corixidae by their segmented beak and front legs. Water boatman have highly modified front legs whereas backswimmers do not. Backswimmers are distributed across a broad range throughout North America. However, the species Notonecta undulata has only been documented and studied in southern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the western United States. N. undulata differs from other backswimmers by their antennae and size. They are approximately 10–12 mm long, and their antennae are 4 segmented.

<i>Notonecta irrorata</i> Species of true bug

Notonecta irrorata is a species of backswimmer native to North America first described by Philip Reese Uhler in 1879. Presence of N. irrorata in ponds is known to repel the oviposition of Culex mosquitoes.

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Notonecta spinosa is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America.

Notonecta kirbyi, or Kirby's backswimmer, is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America.

Notonecta unifasciata is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in Central America, North America, and South America.

<i>Notonecta lunata</i> Species of true bug

Notonecta lunata is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America.

Notonecta lobata is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Notonecta borealis is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America.

Notonecta indica is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, Oceania, and South America.

Notonecta insulata is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Notonecta uhleri</i> Species of true bug

Notonecta uhleri is a species of backswimmer in the family Notonectidae. It is found in North America.

References

  1. Merritt, R.W.; Cummins, K.W.; Berg, M.B., eds. (2008). An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America (4th ed.). Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. ISBN   9780757550492.
  2. "Directório de Espécies de Portugal". Naturdata. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  3. "Notonecta". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved January 24, 2014.