Chinch Bug vs Common Pond Skater
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Chinch Bug | Common Pond Skater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Blissus leucopterus | Aquarius najas |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Blissidae | Gerridae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 14-17 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Chinch Bug
A tiny black and white bug that is one of the most destructive pests of cereal crops and lawn grasses in North America. Adults have distinctive white wings folded flat over the back. Large populations can kill entire swathes of turf grass.
Did You Know?
In the late 1800s, massive outbreaks destroyed so much wheat in the Great Plains that farmers built tar-filled trenches across fields to trap migrating chinch bug armies.
Common Pond Skater
A large, elongate water strider that glides across the surface of flowing rivers and large ponds. It is one of the biggest European gerrid species with a dark brown body.
Did You Know?
Pond skaters communicate with potential mates and rivals by generating specific ripple patterns on the water surface, essentially sending coded messages across the water.