Coreid Bug vs Backswimmer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Coreid Bug Backswimmer
Scientific Name Thasus neocalifornicus Notonecta glauca
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Coreidae Notonectidae
Size 30-40 mm 14-16 mm
Habitat Heathland Ponds & Lakes
Diet Seed Feeders Predators
Regions North America Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Coreid Bug

One of the largest leaf-footed bugs in North America with vivid nymph coloration.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs are brilliant metallic blue and red before turning drab brown as adults.

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.

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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.