Neotropical Backswimmer vs Water Measurer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neotropical Backswimmer | Water Measurer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Buenoa antigone | Hydrometra australis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Notonectidae | Hydrometridae |
| Size | 5-9 mm | 8-11 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay | Americas, from southern United States to South 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.
Water Measurer
A very slender, elongate semi-aquatic bug that walks slowly on water surfaces in the Americas. Its head is exceptionally long and narrow with a small rostrum at the tip. It moves with slow, deliberate steps along pond margins.
Did You Know?
It is so lightweight that it can walk on the water surface without breaking the surface tension, leaving no visible dimples where its feet contact the water.