Go Ad-Free
My Alerts
Moneycontrol
Moneycontrol PRO
Get App Open
In App
News on WhatsApp
News on WhatsApp
Go PRO Now
Open App
Homescience

Water Boatman: A Bug That Masters Every Stroke in Water

Meet the water boatman, a tiny freshwater bug that swims using oar-like legs. Discover its hidden skills and surprising importance in aquatic ecosystems.

Gurpreet Singh | October 29, 2025 / 17:14 IST
1/10
1. Native Habitat: Hidden beneath surface of gentle freshwater areas, this tiny rower thrives quietly where sunlight reaches comfortably below. (Image: Canva)
1. Native Habitat: Hidden beneath surface of gentle freshwater areas, this tiny rower thrives quietly where sunlight reaches comfortably below. (Image: Canva)
2/10
2. Mini Predator: Feeds on algae and microorganisms while hunting tiny insects, keeping freshwater ecosystems balanced and healthy everywhere efficiently. (Image: Canva)
2. Mini Predator: Feeds on algae and microorganisms while hunting tiny insects, keeping freshwater ecosystems balanced and healthy everywhere efficiently. (Image: Canva)
3/10
3. Upside Talent: Unlike backswimmers, water boatman swims upright, controlling movements gracefully with perfect underwater stability always maintained. (Image: Canva)
3. Upside Talent: Unlike backswimmers, water boatman swims upright, controlling movements gracefully with perfect underwater stability always maintained. (Image: Canva)
4/10
4. Dark Camouflage: Brownish body blends perfectly into muddy surroundings, helping avoid predators lurking around shallow watery areas always. (Image: Canva)
4. Dark Camouflage: Brownish body blends perfectly into muddy surroundings, helping avoid predators lurking around shallow watery areas always. (Image: Canva)
5/10
5. Wings Ready: Strong wings support short flights between ponds, assisting survival when habitats shrink during difficult seasons. (Image: Canva)
5. Wings Ready: Strong wings support short flights between ponds, assisting survival when habitats shrink during difficult seasons. (Image: Canva)
6/10
6. Underwater Song: Males produce clicking sounds by rubbing legs, creating underwater mating calls surprisingly loud for size. (Image: Canva)
6. Underwater Song: Males produce clicking sounds by rubbing legs, creating underwater mating calls surprisingly loud for size. (Image: Canva)
7/10
7. Egg laying Expert: Females attach eggs onto submerged plants, ensuring safety until tiny nymphs hatch successfully later. (Image: Canva)
7. Egg laying Expert: Females attach eggs onto submerged plants, ensuring safety until tiny nymphs hatch successfully later. (Image: Canva)
8/10
8. Night Explorer: Becomes more active in darkness, taking advantage of calmer waters and fewer observing predators around. (Image: Canva)
8. Night Explorer: Becomes more active in darkness, taking advantage of calmer waters and fewer observing predators around. (Image: Canva)
9/10
9. Comfort in Calm: Prefers peaceful freshwater spaces like puddles, lakes, wetlands, thriving quietly away from waves. (Image: Canva)
9. Comfort in Calm: Prefers peaceful freshwater spaces like puddles, lakes, wetlands, thriving quietly away from waves. (Image: Canva)
10/10
10. Famous Family: Member of Corixidae, known worldwide for rowing skills, efficient feeding, and interesting underwater behaviours scientifically studied. (Image: Canva)
10. Famous Family: Member of Corixidae, known worldwide for rowing skills, efficient feeding, and interesting underwater behaviours scientifically studied. (Image: Canva)

Discover the latest Business News, Budget 2025 News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347