Also known as Blackswimmers, Water-boatmen are common in aquatic habitats.

Adults grow up to 15mm in length and are air-breathing. They feed on a variety of small aquatic animals, attacking and eating them with their sucking mouthparts.

Eggs are fertilised internally, then deposited within submerged water plants. After hatching, the young pass through a number of growth periods (instars) before reaching the full adult form.