Listen "Upside-Down Aquatics"
Episode Synopsis
Scuba divers pump compressed air into or out of jackets to hang neutrally buoyant in the water column. Few insects can manage the same feat and must hang onto to plants or expend energy swimming. But one insect can shunt oxygen in and out of an air bubble to "float" anywhere between the water surface and the pond floor. This same insect turns camouflage on it's head to adapt to its unusual back-stroke approach to swimming. Backswimmers do all of this and are also well equipped with a beak that can get your attention if you mishandle them.
The episode art is modified from Didier Descouens' stunning image found here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Notonecta_maculata_MHNT.jpg
The episode art is modified from Didier Descouens' stunning image found here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Notonecta_maculata_MHNT.jpg
More episodes of the podcast Nature Snippets
Water Pennies: Flat as a Pancake
16/04/2025
Snowflake Declan?
05/03/2025
The Amazing Bug Road SHow
30/10/2024
Spotted Lanternflies
15/04/2024
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.