Neotropical Backswimmer vs European Wheat Stem Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neotropical Backswimmer | European Wheat Stem Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Buenoa antigone | Cephus pygmeus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Notonectidae | Cephidae |
| Size | 5-9 mm | 8-10 mm (adult) |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay | Europe, Asia, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
European Wheat Stem Sawfly
A stem-boring sawfly pest of wheat and other cereals throughout Europe and western Asia. It has also established in parts of North America.
Did You Know?
Solid-stemmed wheat varieties were bred specifically to resist stem sawfly larval boring.