The term “water boatman” generally refers to small, common aquatic insects found across the world in slow-moving or stagnant freshwater habitats like ponds and lakes. These insects typically measure less than a centimeter in length and are often seen paddling near the surface. Their presence often leads to questions regarding their capacity to harm humans. Understanding the potential danger requires clarifying a common misidentification, which is the source of nearly all concerns regarding their bite.
Understanding the Confusion Behind the Name
The difficulty in assessing the danger of a water boatman stems from the fact that the common name applies to members of two distinct insect families: Corixidae and Notonectidae. The True Water Boatmen (Corixidae) are primarily herbivores or omnivores, consuming algae, detritus, and microorganisms. Corixidae are easily identified because they swim upright and possess a flat, oval-shaped body.
In contrast, Notonectidae are widely known as Backswimmers because they propel themselves upside down, using their long, fringed hind legs like oars. Backswimmers are highly effective predators that actively hunt small aquatic creatures, including tadpoles and small fish. These predatory Backswimmers possess piercing, tube-like mouthparts (a proboscis) which they use to subdue and consume their prey. This difference means the harmless scavenger poses no threat, while the active predator can inflict a painful defensive action. The Backswimmer’s nature is the sole source of the water boatman’s reputation for biting.
Assessing the Pain and Medical Danger of an Interaction
When a Backswimmer (Notonectidae) feels trapped or is handled carelessly, it will deploy its proboscis in a defensive puncture. The resulting sensation is frequently described as a sharp, burning pain, which many people compare to the sting of a bee or wasp. This occurs because the insect injects salivary enzymes or a toxic substance into the skin.
Despite the intensity of the initial pain, the interaction does not typically result in a severe medical condition, and Backswimmers are not known to transmit diseases to humans. For most people, the discomfort, redness, and minor swelling at the puncture site will subside naturally within a few hours. Basic first aid involves cleaning the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and applying a cold compress to reduce localized pain and swelling.
Simple Ways to Avoid Contact
The most straightforward way to avoid an unpleasant encounter is to refrain from handling any aquatic insect found in freshwater habitats. Backswimmers typically only resort to their defensive puncture when they are pressed against the skin or actively disturbed. When wading in natural water bodies, shuffling one’s feet along the bottom warns insects and gives them time to move away.
In artificial environments like swimming pools, the presence of Backswimmers indicates that small insects or algae (their food source) are present. Maintaining balanced water chemistry and regularly removing algae and debris helps eliminate the food chain that attracts these predators. Physical removal using a net or skimmer is effective for any insects that enter the water.