The Backswimmer

Backswimmer

I netted this creature from the vernal pool the other day.  It was the largest creature that I netted that day.  The other insect, not shown, which appears similar to it is the Water Boatman.  The Backswimmer, as its name indicates, swims on its back.  The Water Boatman swims with its appendages down.

Backswimmer

Notice how the rear legs have hairs to aid in propulsion.

Backswimmer

According to Wikipedia,  These creatures can fly when the need arises, such as changing pools.

Backswimmer

At first, when I put the creature into my aquarium, I wished the air bubbles where gone.  I assumed they were just part of the transfer I had made.  I had no idea of their importance to the Insect.  Again, according to Wikipedia, "The size of these air bubbles, which provide buoyancy, changes as the nitrogen dissolves into the blood and the oxygen is used in respiration. This allows for regulation of the size of the air bubbles and their concentration of oxygen."

These insects are predators attacking prey as large as tadpoles and small fish.

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Republic P-47D

Republic P-47D

This, the Razorback Version, is the predecessor of the Bubbletop.  The Bubbletop was added, replacing the canopy shown here because of poor visiblity.

The P-47 was the most expensive fighter of the war.  It was also the heaviest.  It was heavily armed and armored.  It excelled in both air and ground roles.  It was an excellent escort fighter but was not able to match the range of the bombers.  It fared well against the Japanese Zero because, for one thing, of its armor.

It could carry over half the bomb load of the B-17.  Serving in both the Pacific and Europe, it was one of the main fighters of the USAAF with a cost of $85,000 per unit in WWII dollars.

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