Backswimmer vs Aphid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Backswimmer | Aphid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Notonecta glauca | Myzus persicae |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Notonectidae | Aphididae |
| Size | 14-16 mm | 1-3 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Backswimmer
An aquatic bug that swims upside down just beneath the water surface, using its long hind legs as oars. Its back is keeled like a boat hull and pale-colored for camouflage when viewed from below.
Did You Know?
Backswimmers swim inverted with their pale backs facing downward, providing counter-shading camouflage against the bright sky when predators look up from below.
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.