THE WATER BOATMEN 



(Family Corixidce* ) 



The little bugs of this family and of the five families which 

 immediately follow are all aquatic in their habits and form the 

 series known to most writers as the Cryptocerata from the fact 

 that they appear to have no antennae, since these organs are 

 hidden below the head, sometimes in pockets. From their 

 aquatic habits they are called Hydrocorisce or Hydrocores in some 

 of the older works, though there are two other families, the 

 Hebridce and Hydrobatidce which have obvious antennae and 

 yet live on the surface of the water and in damp places. 



The Corixidae are known as "water boatmen." They are 

 mottled bugs of oval shape which are found 

 commonly swimming on the surface of ponds 

 and streams in all parts of the United States. 

 They are flattened below and swim with the 

 back upwards. They can descend below the 

 surface and remain there for a long time since they 

 carry down with them a film of air held by the ~ , ~ . 



J J Fig. 167. — Corixa 



fine hairs which cover the body. They are true intemipta Say. 

 air breathers. When cold weather comes on, ( A f ter uhier.) 

 the water boatman, as do other aquatic bugs as well, swims 

 down to the bottom and buries itself in the mud where it remains 

 during the winter and specimens captured in spring are frequently 

 coated with mud. The eggs are laid under water and are 

 attached in numbers to the stems of aquatic plants. The eggs of 

 two Mexican species (Corixa mercenaria and C. femorata) are 

 laid in enormous numbers in lakes near the city of Mexico, and 

 are made into cakes with meal and are eaten by the Indians and 

 half-breeds. They are said to have an agreeable acid flavor. I 



* Usually printed in the books Corisidce, and the type genus as Corisa; 

 but the change from the older Corixidce and Corixa was not justified by the 

 nomenclature rules now in force. 



273 



