Corixidae generally have a long flattened body ranging from 2.5 to 15 mm (0.1–0.6 in) long. Many have extremely fine dark brown or black striations marking the wings. They tend to have four long rear legs and two short front ones. The forelegs are covered with hairs and shaped like oars, hence the name "water boatman".
are one of the few aquatic members of this order that are not predaceous and do not bite people. Instead, they suck juices from algae, plants and detritus. Only a few species eat other small aquatic creatures (such as mosquito larvae).
How do water boatmen feed?
Water boatmen usually feed on living material. The majority of the diet of water boatmen consists of diatoms, algae, protozoa, nematodes, and small insects that they come across in the substrate. They can use their specialized mouthparts to suck juices and nutrients out of their food items.
Do water boatmen bite?
Water boatmen: are oval shaped bugs that do not bite, There food source is algae and minute aquatic organisms, they eat mosquito larvae and tend to eat small aquatic animals.
