Notonectidae

Notonectidae is a family of aquatic true bugs called backswimmers. Its members swim upside down near the water surface and prey on small aquatic animals.

Backswimming: A swimming posture in which an animal moves with its back downward and belly upward. Notonectids are named for this inverted swimming posture.
Hemiptera: An order of insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts, including true bugs, aphids, and cicadas. Notonectidae belongs to this diverse order of insects.
Biological control: The use of living organisms to suppress pests or other unwanted populations. Backswimmers can consume mosquito larvae and other aquatic invertebrates.
Notonecta glauca: A widespread European backswimmer species found in ponds and other still waters. This species exemplifies the inverted swimming and predatory habits of the family.
Hydrophobicity: The tendency of a surface to repel water rather than be wetted by it. Water-repellent body hairs help backswimmers retain an air supply underwater.
Heteroptera: A major group of hemipterans commonly known as true bugs. Backswimmers are true bugs within this hemipteran group.
Mosquito control: Methods used to reduce mosquito populations and limit mosquito-borne disease. Backswimmer predation on mosquito larvae can contribute to control in ponds.
Notonecta maculata: A backswimmer species native to parts of Europe and North Africa. Its spotted body provides a recognizable example within Notonecta.
Plastron respiration: Underwater gas exchange through a thin air layer held against an animal's body. A retained air layer lets backswimmers remain submerged while exchanging gases with water.
Corixidae: A family of aquatic true bugs commonly called water boatmen. Water boatmen resemble backswimmers but usually swim right-side up.

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