Backswimmer vs Field Digger Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Backswimmer | Field Digger Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Notonecta glauca | Mellinus arvensis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Notonectidae | Crabronidae |
| Size | 14-16 mm | 10-14mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Europe |
| 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.
Field Digger Wasp
A yellow and black wasp that nests in sandy soil and provisions each cell with paralyzed hoverflies.
Did You Know?
Digs a nest burrow in bare sandy soil and stocks each cell with 5-8 precisely paralyzed hoverflies.