Plea minutissima
Pygmy backswimmer
The 2.5 mm bug is almost a scale model of the Water boatman or Backswimmer, though its outline is
higher and more compact. This specimen is sitting in an upright position on a leaf of Hornwort.
It's a good swimmer, and as the name indicates it swims on it's back, with the silvery reflecting air bubble
on the belly upward. It hunts for Water fleas and other small animals. It's a sturdy insect, between a pair
of tweezers it feels like a little stone.
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COPYRIGHT:
All pictures on this site have been made by
G.H. Visser (Aadorp,
Holland), unless otherwise mentioned. All rights remain with him. These photo's may not be used for
other then strictly private uses. In case you want to use them for purposes including third parties,
you MUST request permission, by
e-mailing the author. I encourage
especially those wanting to use the pictures for nature-expositions or other educative targets.
