Grousewinged Backswimmer

Grousewinged Backswimmer

Notonecta undulata

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Minneapolis [Saint Paul]

In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%

9 Verified sightings at Minneapolis [Saint Paul]
March Best month

About the Grousewinged Backswimmer

Notonecta undulata, also known by the common name grousewinged backswimmer, are from the family Notonectidae and the insect suborder Heteroptera. They are a type of hemipteran or true bug. These aquatic insects typically spend their time at the water's surface, using their abdomen and legs to cling to the underside of the surface tension. The Grousewinged backswimmer can be found in both lotic and lentic environments; however, they typically prefer small ponds and lakes where the water is slow-moving with less current. They swim upside down looking for prey. Once they stop swimming they float back up to the surface. These insects can be distinguished from water boatman or Corixidae by their segmented beak and front legs. Water boatman have highly modified front legs whereas backswimmers do not. Backswimmers are distributed across a broad range throughout North America. However, the species Notonecta undulata has only been documented and studied in southern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the western United States. N. undulata differs from other backswimmers by their antennae and size. They are approximately 10–12 mm long, and their antennae are 4 segmented. Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability

More parks will be added in future updates.

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Minneapolis [Saint Paul] 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
2 Montreal 🇨🇦 Canada
<5%
3 Toronto 🇨🇦 Canada
<5%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Grousewinged Backswimmer in Minneapolis [Saint Paul]?

Rare

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Grousewinged Backswimmer sighting in Minneapolis [Saint Paul] on a given day, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 458th most-seen of the 672 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Grousewinged Backswimmer in Minneapolis [Saint Paul]?

March

In that month about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Grousewinged Backswimmer in Minneapolis [Saint Paul] on a given day, against under 5% in April to February, the lowest months.

Is Minneapolis [Saint Paul] the best place to see a Grousewinged Backswimmer?

Yes

Of the 3 cities where we can rate Grousewinged Backswimmer sightings, Minneapolis [Saint Paul] has the highest daily chance: under 5%. Next come Montreal (Canada, under 5%) and Toronto (Canada, under 5%).

Which relatives of the Grousewinged Backswimmer live in Minneapolis [Saint Paul]?

Same order: Hemiptera

The closest relatives of the Grousewinged Backswimmer that you can see in Minneapolis [Saint Paul] (order Hemiptera, True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and allies) are Eastern Boxelder Bug (about 20%), Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (about 20%) and Four-Lined Plant Bug (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.

Where does the Grousewinged Backswimmer sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Grousewinged Backswimmer is recorded against all the insects logged in Minneapolis [Saint Paul] (9 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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