Pygmy Backswimmer - Plea minutissima

Alternative names
Plea leachi
Description

This is a small (2.5 mm), but sturdy bug and is almost a scale model of the Water Boatman, though its outline is higher and more compact. It is a good swimmer, and as the name indicates it swims on its back, with the silvery reflecting air bubble on the belly upward.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Occurs in a wide range of aquatic habitats including ponds, lakes and slow moving rivers.

When to see it

All year round.

Life History

It hunts for Water Fleas and other small animals.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent in England and Wales.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Pleidae
Records on NatureSpot:
14
First record:
26/09/2001 (Derek Lott)
Last record:
29/09/2024 (Cann, Alan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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