Neotropical Robber Fly vs North American Backswimmer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Neotropical Robber Fly North American Backswimmer
Scientific Name Ommatius orenoquensis Notonecta undulata
Order Diptera Hemiptera
Family Asilidae Notonectidae
Size 10-15 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Forests Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Predators
Regions South America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Neotropical Robber Fly

A slender tropical robber fly found in South American lowland forests. It hunts from leaf tips in the forest understory.

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Did You Know?

The genus Ommatius is one of the most species-rich robber fly genera in the tropics.

North American Backswimmer

A common backswimmer across North America that hunts by floating upside down at the surface. Its large eyes help it spot prey from below.

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Did You Know?

It is an important natural predator of mosquito larvae and can significantly reduce mosquito populations in small ponds.