Water-boatman
Guides
Arctocorisa sutilis
Arctocorisa sutilis is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Uhler in 1876. It belongs to a genus of aquatic true bugs found in freshwater habitats. The species is recorded from North America, particularly in the Nearctic region excluding Beringia. Like other corixids, it is an aquatic insect adapted to life in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waters. Very limited published information exists on its specific biology.
Callicorixa
Callicorixa is a genus of water boatmen (family Corixidae) comprising nine described species. Members are aquatic insects inhabiting freshwater environments. Research on *Callicorixa vulnerata* has demonstrated sexual size dimorphism and tarsal asymmetry in mid-leg morphology. *Callicorixa praeusta* exhibits complex acoustic communication, with males producing synchronized stridulatory calls for congregation and reproduction.
Callicorixa vulnerata
water boatman
Callicorixa vulnerata is a species of water boatman (family Corixidae) found in North America. The species exhibits sexual size dimorphism, with documented research focusing on tarsal asymmetry and trait size variation in relation to fitness. Mid-leg tarsi are used to cling to bottom substrate during underwater feeding. The species was described by Uhler in 1861 and is currently accepted under the genus Callicorixa.
Cenocorixa bifida
water boatman
Cenocorixa bifida is a species of water boatman (family Corixidae) first described by Hungerford in 1926. It is found in North America and possesses the characteristic rowing hind legs typical of water boatmen, which it uses for propulsion through synchronous swimming strokes. The species has been studied for its swimming hydrodynamics and Malpighian tubule ultrastructure, revealing specialized adaptations for aquatic life.
Cenocorixa dakotensis
Cenocorixa dakotensis is a species of water boatman (family Corixidae) described by Hungerford in 1928. It belongs to a genus of aquatic true bugs found in northern regions. The species is known from North America, particularly in the Nearctic region.
Cenocorixa expleta
Cenocorixa expleta is a water boatman (family Corixidae) native to North America. The species inhabits saline lakes with conductivities ranging from 500 to 20,000 μS cm⁻¹ at 25°C. Serological studies indicate that its realized feeding niche shifts when in sympatry with the congener Cenocorixa bifida hungerfordi, suggesting competitive interactions may influence its distribution. The species is notably absent from low salinity lakes, a pattern that may reflect food competition combined with habitat preferences.
Centrocorisa nigripennis
Centrocorisa nigripennis is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Fabricius in 1803. It belongs to the suborder Heteroptera (true bugs) within the order Hemiptera. The genus Centrocorisa is part of the tribe Corixini, a group of aquatic insects commonly known as water boatmen. As a member of the Nepomorpha, it is adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. The species has been recorded across the Caribbean, Middle America, and North America.
Corisella edulis
water boatman
Corisella edulis is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species has been documented as a host for the peritrich ciliate epibiont Orbopercularia lichtensteini in Hidalgo, Mexico.
Corixinae
water boatman
Corixinae is a subfamily of aquatic true bugs comprising at least 130 described species. Members are commonly known as water boatmen and are found in freshwater habitats worldwide. The subfamily includes the genera Corixa and Sigara, among others. Larvae develop through five instars, with distinct morphometric and chaetotaxy characteristics separating developmental stages.
Cymatia
water boatmen
Cymatia is a genus of water boatmen in the family Corixidae, comprising approximately six described species. Members are aquatic true bugs inhabiting lentic waterbodies. The genus includes the neonative species Cymatia rogenhoferi, which has shown significant range expansion across Europe and the UK since 2005. Cymatia species are characterized by their tolerance of diverse environmental conditions and strong dispersal abilities.
Cymatia americana
water boatman
Cymatia americana is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Hussey in 1920. It belongs to the subfamily Cymatiinae and is one of several species in the genus Cymatia found in North America. Water boatmen in this family are aquatic true bugs that inhabit freshwater environments.
Cymatiainae
Cymatiainae is a subfamily of water boatmen within the family Corixidae. Members are aquatic insects adapted to freshwater habitats. The subfamily is distinguished by morphological features of the genitalia and wing venation. Cymatiainae represents one of several lineages within the diverse Corixidae family.
Dasycorixa rawsoni
Dasycorixa rawsoni is a species of water boatman described by Hungerford in 1948. It belongs to the family Corixidae, a group of aquatic true bugs adapted to life in freshwater environments. The species is known from North America and is classified within the tribe Glaenocorisini.
Glaenocorisa propinqua
Glaenocorisa propinqua is a water boatman species (family Corixidae) found in lakes across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Its abundance and distribution are strongly influenced by fish predation pressure, which primarily targets larvae. The species preys upon the water flea Holopedium gibberum, placing it as both predator and prey in lacustrine food webs.
Graptocorixa californica
Graptocorixa californica is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Hungerford in 1925. It belongs to the tribe Graptocorixini within the subfamily Corixinae. The species is known to occur in North America, with its specific epithet suggesting a California distribution. Water boatmen in this family are aquatic insects found in freshwater habitats.
Graptocorixa serrulata
Graptocorixa serrulata is a species of water boatman (family Corixidae) in the order Hemiptera. It is a small aquatic true bug distributed across parts of North America and Middle America. As a member of the Graptocorixini tribe, it inhabits freshwater environments where it likely occupies the benthic zone typical of corixid beetles. The species was described by Philip Reese Uhler in 1897.
Hesperocorixa interrupta
Hesperocorixa interrupta is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1825. It belongs to a genus of aquatic true bugs distributed across North America. Water boatmen in this family are characterized by their oar-like hind legs adapted for swimming and their aquatic lifestyle in freshwater habitats.
Hesperocorixa lucida
Hesperocorixa lucida is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, described by Abbott in 1916. The species is recorded from North America and belongs to a genus of aquatic true bugs commonly found in freshwater habitats. Like other corixids, it is adapted to life in water with oar-like hind legs modified for swimming.
Hesperocorixa michiganensis
Hesperocorixa michiganensis is a species of water boatman (family Corixidae) described by Hungerford in 1926. It belongs to a genus of aquatic true bugs found in freshwater habitats. The species is recorded from North America, specifically within the Nearctic region. Like other Corixidae, it is adapted to underwater life with modified hind legs for swimming.
Hesperocorixa obliqua
Hesperocorixa obliqua is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Hungerford in 1925. It belongs to the genus Hesperocorixa, a group of aquatic true bugs adapted to freshwater environments. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in published sources.
Hesperocorixa semilucida
Hesperocorixa semilucida is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, described by Walley in 1930. It belongs to a genus of aquatic true bugs found in freshwater habitats. The species is documented from North America. Like other Corixidae, it is an aquatic insect adapted to life in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waters.
Palmacorixa buenoi
Palmacorixa buenoi is a species of water boatman (family Corixidae) described by Abbott in 1913. It is an aquatic heteropteran known for producing acoustic signals, with diel periodicity patterns that differ substantially from those observed in related genera. Most aquatic heteropterans show increased acoustic activity in early evening, but P. buenoi exhibits atypical patterns in song type periodicity. The species occurs in North America, particularly in the Nearctic region excluding the Western Cordillera and Beringia.
Palmacorixa gillettei
Palmacorixa gillettei is a species of water boatman (family Corixidae) in the infraorder Nepomorpha. It was described by Abbott in 1912. The genus Palmacorixa is a small group within the Corixidae, and this species appears to be rarely recorded based on limited observation data. Members of this family are aquatic true bugs found in freshwater habitats.
Palmacorixa janeae
Palmacorixa janeae is a species of water boatman described by Brooks in 1959. It belongs to the genus Palmacorixa within the family Corixidae, a group of aquatic true bugs. The species is recorded from North America, particularly the Great Plains-Prairies region of Canada. Like other Corixidae, it is presumed to be aquatic, though specific ecological details remain undocumented.
Ramphocorixa
Ramphocorixa is a genus of water boatmen (Corixidae) established by Abbott in 1912, containing at least two described species. The genus includes a notable marine species, R. balanodis, which exhibits extreme morphological adaptations for feeding on barnacles in saltwater intertidal habitats—unusual for a family predominantly found in freshwater. Most species occur in freshwater lakes and ponds across North, Central, and northern South America.
Sigara
water boatmen
Sigara is a genus of water boatmen (family Corixidae) comprising approximately 100 species of aquatic true bugs. The genus is notable for containing halophilic species capable of inhabiting saline and hypersaline waters, including extreme environments such as the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana. Members of this genus are aquatic insects found in various freshwater and saline habitats across multiple continents.
Sigara alternata
water boatman
Sigara alternata is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae. It inhabits lentic aquatic environments in North America. Laboratory studies demonstrate that its egg development and growth rates are strongly influenced by thermal conditions, with developmental acceleration occurring at daily temperature maxima exceeding 15.0°C and a critical temperature threshold of 11.0–12.5°C required for egg-laying initiation.
Sigara bradleyi
Sigara bradleyi is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Abbott in 1913. As a member of the genus Sigara, it belongs to a diverse group of aquatic insects commonly found in freshwater habitats. The species is known to occur in North America and the Caribbean, though detailed biological information remains limited. Like other corixids, it likely inhabits ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waters where it occupies the benthic zone.
Sigara hubbelli
Sigara hubbelli is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, described by Hungerford in 1928. It belongs to the genus Sigara, a diverse group of aquatic true bugs found in freshwater habitats. The species is documented from North America, though detailed ecological and biological information remains limited in available sources.
Sigara lineata
Sigara lineata is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae. It is found in North America. Water boatmen are aquatic insects that inhabit freshwater environments.
Sigara mississippiensis
Sigara mississippiensis is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, described by Hungerford in 1942. As a member of the genus Sigara, it belongs to a diverse group of aquatic true bugs commonly found in freshwater habitats across North America. The species is poorly documented in public scientific literature, with minimal observational records available.
Sigara omani
Sigara omani is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Hungerford in 1930. Despite its specific epithet suggesting a connection to Oman, the species is native to North America. Water boatmen in this genus are aquatic insects that inhabit freshwater environments. Available information about this particular species is limited.
Sigara ornata
ornate water boatman
Sigara ornata is a species of water boatman (family Corixidae) found in North America. Water boatmen are aquatic true bugs that inhabit freshwater environments, where they are known for their oar-like hind legs adapted for swimming. The specific epithet "ornata" suggests distinctive patterning or markings, though detailed morphological descriptions for this species are limited in available sources.
Sigara sigmoidea
Sigara sigmoidea is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, described by Abbott in 1913. The species name 'sigmoidea' refers to an S-shaped or sigma-like characteristic, likely of the male genitalia or abdominal structure, a common naming convention in this genus. Like other Corixidae, it is an aquatic insect inhabiting freshwater environments. The genus Sigara is one of the most species-rich genera of water boatmen in the Northern Hemisphere.
Sigara trilineata
Sigara trilineata is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, found in North America. Water boatmen are aquatic insects that inhabit freshwater environments. The species name "trilineata" refers to three lines, likely describing a distinctive marking pattern on the body. As a member of the Corixidae, it possesses the family's characteristic oar-like hind legs adapted for swimming.
Sigara virginiensis
Sigara virginiensis is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Hungerford in 1948. Water boatmen are aquatic true bugs characterized by their oar-like hind legs adapted for swimming. This species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in the available literature.
Trichocorixa
water boatmen
Trichocorixa is a genus of water boatmen in the family Corixidae comprising approximately 14 described species. Members of this genus are notable for their exceptional tolerance of saline and hypersaline habitats, ranging from brackish coastal marshes to salt ponds with salinities exceeding 150‰. Several species have become invasive outside their native ranges, with documented ecological impacts through predation on brine shrimp and other zooplankton. The genus exhibits complex life history adaptations including staggered egg hatching, salinity-dependent embryonic development, and overwintering strategies that vary among species and populations.
Trichocorixa kanza
water boatman
Trichocorixa kanza is a species of water boatman (family Corixidae) described by Sailer in 1948. It belongs to the genus Trichocorixa, a group of small aquatic true bugs characterized by hair-fringed hind legs adapted for swimming. The species has been documented in both North and Central America. Like other corixids, it inhabits freshwater environments where it swims upside-down near the water surface.
Trichocorixa minima
Trichocorixa minima is a small water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Abbott in 1913. It belongs to a genus of aquatic true bugs found in various freshwater habitats. The species is recorded from North America and the Caribbean, though detailed ecological information remains limited. Like other Corixidae, it is adapted to life in water with oar-like hind legs for swimming.
Trichocorixa reticulata
water boatman
Trichocorixa reticulata is a water boatman (family Corixidae) inhabiting saline and hypersaline aquatic environments. The species exhibits exceptional osmotic tolerance, surviving salinities from freshwater to full seawater (~3.5%). Populations show synchronized annual breeding cycles with peak reproduction in May-July. Females are larger than males, and eggs are deposited on solid substrates including algae and pool surfaces. Both adults and nymphs function as predators and scavengers.
Trichocorixa sexcincta
water boatman
Trichocorixa sexcincta is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae. It is distributed across the Caribbean Sea, Central America, and North America. The species was originally described as Corixa sexcincta by Champion in 1901 and later transferred to the genus Trichocorixa. Like other members of Corixidae, it is an aquatic true bug.
Trichocorixa verticalis
water boatman
Trichocorixa verticalis is a small water boatman (Corixidae) native to North America and the Caribbean, now established as an invasive species in Europe, Morocco, South Africa, and New Caledonia. It is exceptionally euryhaline, inhabiting brackish waters, saline ponds, coastal wetlands, and open marine environments—unusual for a corixid. The species overwinters as diapausing eggs and has demonstrated significant ecological impacts in invaded habitats, including dominance over native corixids and trophic cascades affecting phytoplankton abundance through predation on zooplankton.