Lesser Water Boatman

Corixa punctata

Statistics

Taxonomic family: Corixidae

Length: 0.5 to 1.5 cm

Average life span: upwards of 1 year

Juvenile stage (in water): 2 to 3 weeks

Adult stage (out of water): 1 year

When To See

The larvae are only really around during spring and early summer. The beetles are found all year round, but are most active during warmer weather.

Photo credit: wildlifetrusts.org, Iain Reid

Habitat

Most common in ponds and lakes, they can be found in some slow flowing rivers and pools. They are ‘detritivores’ and herbivorous, feeding on bits of plants and algae growing in the water. They need to breathe from the surface of the water and cleverly, they gather little bubbles of air and carry this with them as they swim around.

How To Identify

Large reddish eyes. Light brown body in the shape of a boat, with large powerful hind legs which it uses as paddles when swimming upside down. Very similar in appearance to Common Backswimmer, but can be distinguished as unlike the other species they do not swim upside down.

Seen It?

Been kicking about in your local river and come across one of these invertebrates? Not sure? Share it with us at trust@forthriverstrust.org, we enjoy chatting about inverts with you.