Common Water Strider vs Cumberland Plateau Cave Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Water Strider | Cumberland Plateau Cave Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aquarius remigis | Hadenoecus cumberlandicus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Gerridae | Rhaphidophoridae |
| Size | 11-16 mm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Caves |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Throughout North America | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Common Water Strider
A slender dark brown insect that skates across the surface of streams and ponds using water surface tension. Its long middle and hind legs distribute its weight over the water film.
Did You Know?
Tiny hydrophobic hairs on its legs trap air and repel water, allowing it to stand on the surface without breaking through.
Cumberland Plateau Cave Cricket
A cave cricket restricted to caves in the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee and Kentucky. It has smaller eyes than surface-dwelling relatives.
Did You Know?
It represents an independent colonization of caves from the related H. subterraneus.