Brown Hairstreak vs Water Strider
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Brown Hairstreak | Water Strider |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thecla betulae | Gerris lacustris |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Gerridae |
| Size | 36-40 mm wingspan | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern (declining in parts of range) | Least Concern |
Brown Hairstreak
A secretive butterfly with rich brown wings and an orange flash on the female's forewings. Adults spend most of their time in tree canopies, rarely descending to ground level.
Did You Know?
Eggs are laid singly on blackthorn and are easier to find in winter than the elusive adults are in summer.
Water Strider
Walks on water using hydrophobic leg hairs that trap air. Each leg has thousands of microscopic grooved hairs. Can detect prey vibrations on the water surface from centimeters away.
Did You Know?
Water striders have over 1,000 microscopic hairs per mm on their legs — each hair has nano-grooves that trap air, making their feet essentially unwettable.