Indian Tiger Beetle vs Common Pond Skater
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Indian Tiger Beetle | Common Pond Skater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cicindela aurulenta | Aquarius najas |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Cicindelidae | Gerridae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 14-17 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal) | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Indian Tiger Beetle
A brilliantly metallic green tiger beetle with coppery-red margins on the elytra. It is an agile predator that runs swiftly across open ground to capture small invertebrates with its powerful mandibles.
Did You Know?
Tiger beetles are among the fastest running insects relative to body size, capable of running so fast they temporarily go blind and must stop to re-orient.
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.