Gross!’ from assembled junior naturalists. The genus Notonecta, distributed worldwide, may be quite destructive to fishes and tadpoles.

It will bite humans when handled, the bite feeling somewhat like a bee sting.

The Common Backswimmer, Notonecta glauca, is widespread in the United Kingdom, where it is known as the greater water boatman, and in Europe. Another way that bugs can live under water is by bubble-breathing.

Cries of ‘Urgh! Among the water bugs are the water scorpions (Nepidae) which are rather like brownish, underwater stick insects. Most are predatory, and can give a painful bite if handled. The grousewinged backswimmer, N. undulata, found in North America, can often be seen swimming under the ice during the winter. Its eggs are deposited either on or in the plant tissue of pond vegetation. Scientific name: Notonecta glauca Size: Up to 18mm long Distribution: Found throughout the UK Months seen: All year round Life Span: Approximately 6 - 9 months Habitat: Ponds, lakes, canals and ditches Food: Insects, small fish and tadpoles Special features: Backswimmers are true bugs.They are light brown in colour with reddish coloured eyes. Notonecta glauca is up to 18mm long and found throughout the UK.

They have a very long breathing siphon at the end of their abdomens. The most common genus of Backswimmers is Notonecta – streamlined, deep-bodied bugs up to 16 mm long, green, brown or yellowish in colour. I picked them up and dropped them into a jar that already contained a large damselfly nymph. Aah ” quaint little water boatmen (Notonecta glauca), like miniature rowing boats. As I passed the jar round, one pounced on the damselfly nymph, punctured it with a spiked mouthpart and visibly sucked it dry within seconds.

Notonecta glauca are true bugs and are light brown in colour with reddish coloured eyes. N. maculata, is distinguished by its mottled brick-coloured forewings. It has a life span of approximately 6 - 9 months and can be seen all year round in ponds, lakes, canals and ditches, surviving on a diet of small insects, fish and tadpoles.