Large Tortoiseshell vs Streamlined Backswimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Tortoiseshell | Streamlined Backswimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nymphalis polychloros | Notonecta irrorata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Notonectidae |
| Size | 54-65 mm wingspan | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern (extinct in Britain) | Least Concern |
Large Tortoiseshell
A large orange butterfly with dark spots resembling a scaled-up small tortoiseshell, once widespread in Britain but now effectively extinct there. It hibernates as an adult in tree hollows.
Did You Know?
Its decline in Britain is thought to be linked to Dutch elm disease destroying its primary food plant.
Streamlined Backswimmer
A pale backswimmer with mottled wings found in still and slow-moving waters across North America. Like other backswimmers, it hangs just below the water surface film waiting for prey vibrations. It is a strong underwater swimmer.
Did You Know?
It senses prey by detecting surface water vibrations with specialized sensory hairs on its legs, effectively turning the water surface into a detection web.