Plea minutissima - Pygmy backswimmer

Taking a bath ABOVE the water.
This Pygmy backswimmer has crawled out of the water and is now sitting (upright) on a leaf of duckweed. Backswimmers and Lesser Water boatman sometimes want to rest on a plant above the water. Investigators have proven that Plea needs to go out to give itself a cleaning treatment by rubbing a secretion from the thorax over its body. This secretion contains hydrogen peroxide and has antiseptic properties. It prevents bacteria growth on the hairs on the belly side, which are of vital importance in holding the animals breathing airs supply.

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.