Neotropical Backswimmer vs Eastern Bat Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neotropical Backswimmer | Eastern Bat Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Buenoa antigone | Cimex adjunctus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Notonectidae | Cimicidae |
| Size | 5-9 mm | 4-5 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Gardens |
| Diet | Omnivores | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Neotropical Backswimmer
A small aquatic bug that swims upside-down using its long oar-like hind legs. Its pale ventral surface provides camouflage when viewed from below against the sky.
Did You Know?
It carries a silvery air bubble on its belly that functions like a physical gill, extracting dissolved oxygen from the water.
Eastern Bat Bug
A blood-feeding ectoparasite primarily of bats in eastern North America. It can bite humans when bat colonies are removed from buildings.
Did You Know?
It is nearly indistinguishable from the common bed bug and requires microscopic examination to tell apart.