Birch Shieldbug vs Broad-Shouldered Water Strider
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Birch Shieldbug | Broad-Shouldered Water Strider |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Elasmostethus interstinctus | Microvelia americana |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Acanthosomatidae | Veliidae |
| Size | 8-11mm | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | North America, Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Birch Shieldbug
A bright green and copper shield bug found on birch trees. It has distinctive dark shoulder patches.
Did You Know?
One of the most attractively colored European shield bugs with its combination of bright green and copper tones.
Broad-Shouldered Water Strider
A tiny water strider relative that walks on the surface of ponds and puddles. It is widespread across the Americas on still freshwater.
Did You Know?
At barely 2 mm long, it is so small that it can walk on water trapped in a single hoofprint.