Burrowing Mayfly vs Backswimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Burrowing Mayfly | Backswimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hexagenia limbata | Notonecta glauca |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Ephemeridae | Notonectidae |
| Size | 18-32 mm body | 14-16 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Burrowing Mayfly
Creates massive synchronized emergences so dense they appear on weather radar. Billions emerge simultaneously from lake bottoms where nymphs burrowed for up to two years.
Did You Know?
Mayfly emergences along the Mississippi River are so massive they show up on Doppler weather radar — billions of insects rising simultaneously look like approaching thunderstorms.
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.