The Common Backswimmer

The Common Backswimmer (Anisops)


*stops weaving a cocoon*

Oh hello everypony!! I'm back! and I have an EXTRA cool bug for you guys now!!! Called the common back swimmer! you can probably guess that this is an insect that lives in water, which is what makes it cool! The back swimmer is part of the insect family of Notonectidae, it is mostly medium sized at about 11mm, it is common as suggested in the name, and is the largest of the family. I found this Back swimmer swimming happily about in the pool, I was always fascinated by them! They dive under the water in search for food, and swim about by extending their lower back legs and using them as paddles, but the most interesting thing about them is the way they breathe. The underside of their body is shaped in such a way, that they are able to hold air bubbles init, and in that way they are able to breath and stay under the water for a good few minutes!

Another interesting thing, is that these guys are not afraid of fish as we would think, quite the opposite, they PREY on fish, as well as tadpoles, and what's more, if there is no food in a pond, then at night they simply climb out and fly away. So here we have an insect that thrives where other insects drown, and it can still fly around and travel great distances! I'd call this thing the Chuck Norris bug if I could. This specimen has pretty milky blue wings, and red eyes, a great colour combination too! And as I noticed while trying to take pictures of it, they can leap and jump far distances too to get away. (I'm starting to really consider calling this guy the Chuck Norris bug)

Now for the pictures of him!



He's quite an amazing insect!





Don't worry, he's not dead (I thought he was, but then he hopped around after I was done with the pictures) Here you can see the back legs outstretched, these are the legs he swims with!

I hope you enjoyed today's blog entry!! I certainly enjoyed examining this bug! If you have any questions, leave em in the comments, requests? just ask me and I'll try to find the Droids insect you're looking for!

As for me, Simon out!