Arctic Water Bug vs Riffle Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Water Bug | Riffle Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arctocorisa carinata | Elmis aenea |
| Order | Hemiptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Corixidae | Elmidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Water Bug
A small aquatic bug with a flattened body and oar-like hind legs for swimming. The back has fine transverse lines. It inhabits cold tundra ponds and lakes, swimming actively even in near-freezing water.
Did You Know?
Males produce sound by rubbing their front legs against their head to attract females, making them among the loudest animals relative to body size.
Riffle Beetle
A tiny, dark beetle that spends its entire adult life underwater clinging to rocks in riffles. It breathes using a plastron, a permanent thin film of air.
Did You Know?
Its plastron air film never needs replenishing, allowing it to remain permanently submerged.