Iron Cross Blister Beetle vs Broad-Shouldered Water Strider
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Iron Cross Blister Beetle | Broad-Shouldered Water Strider |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tegrodera aloga | Microvelia americana |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Meloidae | Veliidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southwestern United States, Mexico | North America, Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Iron Cross Blister Beetle
A striking beetle with bright yellow and black cross-shaped markings on its elytra. It contains cantharidin, a potent blistering agent.
Did You Know?
Swarms occasionally emerge in massive numbers after favorable spring rains in the desert.
Broad-Shouldered Water Strider
A tiny water strider relative that walks on the surface of ponds and puddles. It is widespread across the Americas on still freshwater.
Did You Know?
At barely 2 mm long, it is so small that it can walk on water trapped in a single hoofprint.