North American Backswimmer vs Aster Leafhopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute North American Backswimmer Aster Leafhopper
Scientific Name Notonecta undulata Macrosteles quadrilineatus
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Notonectidae Cicadellidae
Size 10-14 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Farmland
Diet Predators Sap Feeders
Regions North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Aster Leafhopper

A tiny green leafhopper that transmits aster yellows phytoplasma to hundreds of plant species. It is one of the most economically important leafhopper vectors.

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Did You Know?

The aster yellows disease it transmits can infect over 300 plant species, making it one of the broadest plant diseases known.