Broad-Shouldered Water Strider vs African Sugarcane Borer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Broad-Shouldered Water Strider | African Sugarcane Borer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Microvelia americana | Eldana saccharina |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Veliidae | Pyralidae |
| Size | 1.5-2.5 mm | 20-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Wetlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America, Central America, South America | Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
African Sugarcane Borer
The most important pest of sugarcane in sub-Saharan Africa. Larvae bore into sugarcane stalks, reducing sugar content and yield.
Did You Know?
It originally fed on indigenous wetland grasses before switching to cultivated sugarcane.