Backswimmer

Natural Habitat

Found in still freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, and frequently in swimming pools. They prefer calm water with vegetation but are strong fliers and often colonize new bodies of water.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous and predatory. They feed on other insects (like mosquito larvae), tadpoles, and even small fish. They pierce their prey with a sharp beak (proboscis) and inject enzymes to digest them.

Behavior Patterns

They are famous for swimming upside down on their backs using long, oar-like hind legs for propulsion. They trap an air bubble on their underside (which is actually facing up) to breathe underwater. They can fly well and are attracted to lights at night, often landing in swimming pools.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They are often called 'water wasps' or 'water bees' because they can inflict a painful bite if handled or accidentally swum into relative to their size. Benefits: They are beneficial predators that help control mosquito populations by eating larvae.

Identified on: 2/19/2026