Doug,

"Doug Brown" wrote in message
...
Water boatmen generally are not predatory. They mostly feed on plants and
algae.

In Britain, "water boatmen" refer to a very predatory beetle-like insect
that lives upside down on the bottom surface of the water surface. They
have two extended legs which they use to 'row' across the surface. They
continually move around the surface looking for prey. They are able to dive
down like water beetles. They have a beak which they thrust through the
water surface to grab any creature floating on the water surface. If you
try to pick them up they give you quite a painful bite.

Davy