Corixidae
Corixidae is a family of aquatic true bugs, commonly called water boatmen. Members swim with oar-like hind legs and often feed on algae or detritus.
Hemiptera: Hemiptera is an insect order whose members have piercing-sucking mouthparts and include true bugs, aphids, and cicadas. Corixidae belongs to this order of insects with specialized feeding mouthparts.
Insect locomotion: Insect locomotion is movement by walking, running, jumping, flying, swimming, or combinations of these modes. Corixidae's swimming is one specialized form of insect movement.
Freshwater ecosystem: A freshwater ecosystem is a community of organisms interacting with one another and with non-saline water and its physical environment. Corixidae are consumers and prey within these aquatic communities.
Aquatic insect: An aquatic insect is an insect that lives in water for all or part of its life cycle. Corixidae are aquatic insects whose active stages live underwater.
Heteroptera: Heteroptera is a major group of Hemiptera commonly known as true bugs. Water boatmen are true bugs within this larger group.
Swimming: Swimming is movement through water by generating thrust against the surrounding fluid. Water boatmen generate underwater thrust with their flattened, fringed hind legs.
Aquatic food web: An aquatic food web is the network of feeding relationships among organisms in a water-based ecosystem. Water boatmen consume plant material and detritus and are eaten by aquatic predators.
Gerridae: Gerridae is a family of true bugs, including water striders, that move across the water surface. Water striders occupy the surface, unlike the submerged water boatmen.
Notonectidae: Notonectidae is a family of aquatic true bugs known as backswimmers, which swim upside down. Backswimmers resemble water boatmen but differ in posture and often prey on other animals.
Hydrophobicity: Hydrophobicity is the tendency of a material or surface to repel water. Water-repellent surfaces help aquatic insects manage contact with water and trapped air.