Water Boatman

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hemiptera

Family: Corixdae

Water Boatmen are named after their oar-like hind legs which they use to swim.  Their colouring can vary from light to dark brown and their size is typically smaller than 13 mm. In order to prevent themselves from floating to the surface of the water, Water Boatmen use their short front legs to hold onto underwater vegetation. Water boatmen can be found in freshwater, brackish, and saltwater systems throughout the world.