North American Backswimmer vs Green Sedge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | North American Backswimmer | Green Sedge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Notonecta undulata | Rhyacophila dorsalis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Trichoptera |
| Family | Notonectidae | Rhyacophilidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Asia |
| 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.
Did You Know?
It is an important natural predator of mosquito larvae and can significantly reduce mosquito populations in small ponds.
Green Sedge
A free-living caddisfly larva that does not build a case, instead roaming the streambed as an active predator. Adults have greenish wings.
Did You Know?
Unlike most caddisflies, green sedge larvae are caseless predators that hunt like underwater wolves among the stream cobbles.