Andrew Robertson
Sminthurides aquaticus (female and out of focus male)
Noticed one of these bouncing over the surface of a large pond. They seem to be able to cover a fair distance with long series of jumps over the surface of the water.....looking at the pics when I got home it seems they have an adapted furca that looks like it acts as a paddle to create greater resistance against the water when jumping forward. Clever beastie :-)
Following the 1st one I saw lead me to a small rock with a dozen or so on them. They were also on other rocks poking through the surface near the waters edge.....there were loads of them!
Sminthurides aquaticus (female and out of focus male)
Noticed one of these bouncing over the surface of a large pond. They seem to be able to cover a fair distance with long series of jumps over the surface of the water.....looking at the pics when I got home it seems they have an adapted furca that looks like it acts as a paddle to create greater resistance against the water when jumping forward. Clever beastie :-)
Following the 1st one I saw lead me to a small rock with a dozen or so on them. They were also on other rocks poking through the surface near the waters edge.....there were loads of them!