Sigara hellensii

**Bäckbuksimmare (Sigara hellensii)** The bäckbuksimmare is a small aquatic insect belonging to the water boatman family (Corixidae). This species measures approximately 3-4 millimeters in length and displays the characteristic flattened body shape typical of corixids, with paddle-like hind legs adapted for swimming. Like other water boatmen, it feeds primarily on algae, detritus, and small organic particles filtered from the water column, playing a role as both primary consumer and prey species in freshwater food webs. This critically endangered species has an extremely limited geographic distribution, known only from a few localities in Sweden. It inhabits small, shallow freshwater bodies including ponds, slow-moving streams, and wetland areas with specific water chemistry requirements that remain poorly understood. The primary threats to S. hellensii stem from habitat degradation and loss of suitable freshwater environments. Agricultural runoff, urban development, and changes in land use patterns have altered water quality and hydrology in many Swedish wetlands. Climate change may also affect the delicate balance of conditions this species requires, though specific impacts have not been thoroughly documented. Current conservation efforts are limited due to insufficient knowledge about the species' precise habitat requirements and population status. Swedish environmental authorities have included the species in national red lists, but targeted conservation programs have not been established. The outlook for bäckbuksimmare remains uncertain. Without comprehensive population surveys and habitat protection measures, this species faces continued risk of extinction. Research into its ecological requirements represents a critical first step toward developing effective conservation strategies.