Subject: Backswimmer, Family Notonectidae

Location: Upshur County, West Virginia

Stock Number: 06-25514

Comment: This photo shows the ventral surface rather than the dorsal surface more common to insect photos. As the common name says, this creature spends its time swimming on its back. Thus, unless you are at the bottom of the pond looking up, the ventral surface is the one you will see.

Backswimmers prey upon tiny aquatic insects, including mosquito larvae, and also feed upon tiny crustaceans.

Members of this family should be handled with care, since they can inflict a painful bite.