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Guide to New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates
Water boatman
(
Corixidae
: Diaprepocoris
)
Diagnostic features
Diaprepocoris bugs are similar in appearance to the common water boatman Sigara, having long hair-fringed hind legs designed for swimming, and having forelegs ending in a trowel-like segment. Unlike Sigara however, Diaprepocoris have two small dark spots (ocelli) between the large compound eyes.
Typical habitats
Diaprepocoris can be common in ponds and lakes, including coastal lakes with tidal influence.
Feeding
It is likely that Diaprepocoris has a similar diet to the related Sigara, which feeds on algae and organic detritus.
Indicator value
An abundance of Diaprepocoris is likely to be the result of pond-like habitat conditions (at the site or upstream) rather than any particular water quality condition. They have medium tolerance values of 5 (hard bottom sites) and 4.7 (soft bottom sites).
