Family: Corixidae

Corixids (water boatmen) are found in almost all types of aquatic habitats in Saskatchewan except extremely saline. They are strong fliers and are often abundant around lights in the latter part of summer and early fall when there appears to be a migration from smaller ponds to more permanent waters such as lakes and rivers to overwinter. Feeding is dependant on species. Many are herbivores feeding on plant tissues and algae but a few are piercing predators.

References:

Brooks A. R. and L. A. Kelton. 1967. Aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba (Hemiptera). Mem. Entomol. Soc. Canada 51: 1-92

Clifford, H.F. 1991. Aquatic Invertebrates of Alberta. University of Alberta Press. Edmonton, Alberta.

Mau, H.E.L., R.G. Foottit, K.G.A. Hamilton and G.G.E. Scudder. 2000. Checklist of the Hemiptera of Canada and Alaska. NRC Research Press, Ottawa, ON.

Polhemus, J.T. 2008. Chapter 15: Aquatic and semiaquatic Hemiptera. In. Merritt, R.W., K.W. Cummins, and M.B. Berg. An introduction to the aquatic insects of North America. Fourth Edition. Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co. Dubuque, Iowa.