Arctic Water Bug vs Squash Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arctic Water Bug Squash Bug
Scientific Name Arctocorisa carinata Anasa tristis
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Corixidae Coreidae
Size 5-8 mm 14-18 mm
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Farmland
Diet Detritivores Sap Feeders
Regions Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada North America
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.

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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.

Squash Bug

A flat, dark grayish-brown bug that is a major pest of squash and pumpkin plants. When crushed, it emits a distinctly unpleasant odor similar to stink bugs.

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Did You Know?

Squash bugs inject toxic saliva while feeding that causes a condition called anasa wilt, which can kill entire squash vines within days of a heavy infestation.