water boatman

 

noun

  • 1a predatory aquatic bug that swims on its back using its long back legs as oars. It is able to capture large prey such as tadpoles and fish. Also called backswimmer.
    • Family Notonectidae, suborder Heteroptera: Notonecta and other genera
  • 2an aquatic bug which spends much of its time on the bottom, using its front legs to sieve food from the water and its hair-fringed rear legs for swimming.
    • Family Corixidae, suborder Heteroptera: Corixa, Sigara, and other genera