Overview
The pygmy backswimmers are a group of physically small and unobtrusive Heteroptera.
The Pleidae, like the Notonectidae, enjoy still or slow moving water bodies where their poor swimming capabilities do not disadvantage them. Their diet includes crustaceans such as ostracods and brine shrimp as well as the larvae of mosquitoes. The adults can take wing and readily come to light.
Distribution
The Australian Pleidae consists of 3 species in the single genus Paraplea.