Common Pond Skater vs European Glow-Worm Click Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Pond Skater | European Glow-Worm Click Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aquarius najas | Phosphaenus hemipterus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Gerridae | Lampyridae |
| Size | 14-17 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
European Glow-Worm Click Beetle
A small European firefly with reduced wings in the male and completely wingless females. Both sexes produce faint bioluminescence.
Did You Know?
Males walk along the ground rather than flying, making them one of the few fireflies where males cannot fly at all.