Korean Water Scorpion vs Arctic Aphid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Korean Water Scorpion | Arctic Aphid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Laccotrephes japonensis | Acyrthosiphon svalbardicum |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Nepidae | Aphididae |
| Size | 30-38 mm | 1-3 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan/Korea | Svalbard, Arctic Scandinavia, Greenland |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Korean Water Scorpion
A flat, leaf-shaped aquatic predator found in Japan and Korea. Despite its name, it is not a true scorpion but a true bug with raptorial forelegs. Breathes through a siphon-like tail appendage.
Did You Know?
The long breathing siphon at the rear works like a snorkel, allowing the water scorpion to breathe while remaining submerged and hidden among leaf litter.
Arctic Aphid
A small, pale green aphid that is one of the most northerly herbivorous insects on Earth. It feeds on the sap of Dryas octopetala and other Arctic plants. Populations are entirely parthenogenetic in the High Arctic.
Did You Know?
This aphid reproduces entirely without mating in the Arctic, producing live young that are clones of the mother.