Broad-Shouldered Water Strider vs Red Locust
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Broad-Shouldered Water Strider | Red Locust |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Microvelia americana | Nomadacris septemfasciata |
| Order | Hemiptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Veliidae | Acrididae |
| Size | 1.5-2.5 mm | 50-70 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America, Central America, South America | Southern Africa, Central Africa, East Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Red Locust
A large brown and red locust that swarms periodically from outbreak areas in Central and Southern Africa. It has distinctive red hindwings visible in flight.
Did You Know?
The International Red Locust Control Organization was created specifically to monitor and prevent outbreaks of this species.