# Eurasian Greater Water Boatman (*Notonecta glauca*) The Eurasian Greater Water Boatman is a fun little bug that loves to swim in ponds and lakes. It has a special shape that helps it glide smoothly on the water's surface, making it look like it's dancing! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Eurasian Greater Water Boatman](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Notonecta_glauca1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Holger Gröschl, CC BY-SA 2.0 de · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Notonecta_glauca1.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Greater Water Boatman is a medium-sized insect with a boat-shaped body, dark brown on its back and yellowish underneath. It is distinctly different from similar insects as it usually swims upside down, exposing its lighter underside. Its long hind legs resemble oars. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Notonectidae - **Genus:** Notonecta ## Interesting facts - Often called 'water wasps' because their bite feels like a sting if you try to catch them! - They sing to each other by rubbing their front legs across their heads, like playing a tiny violin! - This clever bug uses tiny hairs on its legs to 'taste' the water for prey! - Unlike most insects, they swim upside down to watch for insects falling into the water! ## Special abilities - **Underwater Air Tanker:** This insect carries an air bubble under its wings, acting like a portable oxygen tank to breathe underwater for extended periods. - **Amphibious Flyer:** It can take flight from water to find new ponds or escape danger, using its strong wings for aerial travel. - **Powerful Paddles:** Its long, oar-like hind legs are fringed with hairs, creating strong strokes that propel it quickly through the water. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-30 mm - **Size:** 13-16 mm - **Lifespan:** 250-365 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This fierce water insect ambushes tiny creatures like tadpoles and small fish! - **Primary Foods:** insect larvae, small fish, tadpoles, other aquatic insects, water fleas - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — eats larval and pupal stages in water. - **Hunts:** Water Flea (*Daphnia pulex*) — preys on these small crustaceans in aquatic environments. - **Eaten by:** [European Perch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-perch) (*Perca fluviatilis*) — a common prey item for various fish species. - **Eaten by:** Mallard Duck (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — part of the diet for dabbling ducks and other water birds. - **Eaten by:** Common Frog (*Rana temporaria*) — adult frogs will prey on water boatmen. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Gliding](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gliding): Gliding animals move through the air by launching themselves and maintaining flight with specialized body structures, without flapping wings. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch where you step near water. Some bugs can bite, but most are friendly! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Greater Water Boatman? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Eurasian Greater Water Boatman's wingspan? 25-30 mm ### How big is Eurasian Greater Water Boatman? 13-16 mm ### How long does Eurasian Greater Water Boatman live? 250-365 days ### What does Eurasian Greater Water Boatman eat? This fierce water insect ambushes tiny creatures like tadpoles and small fish! ### Where is Eurasian Greater Water Boatman usually found? Wetlands ### How does Eurasian Greater Water Boatman hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does Eurasian Greater Water Boatman have? 6 ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Eurasian Greater Water Boatman Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-greater-water-boatman)