Aphid vs Water Measurer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Aphid | Water Measurer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Myzus persicae | Hydrometra australis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Aphididae | Hydrometridae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 8-11 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Worldwide | Americas, from southern United States to South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Aphid
Tiny sap-sucking insects with extraordinary reproduction. Can reproduce without mating (parthenogenesis) and give birth to live young that are already pregnant, telescoping generations.
Did You Know?
Aphids can telescope generations — a female can contain a developing daughter, who already has a developing granddaughter inside her, all without mating.
Water Measurer
A very slender, elongate semi-aquatic bug that walks slowly on water surfaces in the Americas. Its head is exceptionally long and narrow with a small rostrum at the tip. It moves with slow, deliberate steps along pond margins.
Did You Know?
It is so lightweight that it can walk on the water surface without breaking the surface tension, leaving no visible dimples where its feet contact the water.