North American Backswimmer vs Japanese Dobsonfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | North American Backswimmer | Japanese Dobsonfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Notonecta undulata | Protohermes grandis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Megaloptera |
| Family | Notonectidae | Corydalidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 40-60 mm body length |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | East Asia, Japan |
| 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.
Japanese Dobsonfly
A large aquatic insect known as 'hebi-tonbo' (snake dragonfly) in Japanese. The adult males have elongated, curved mandibles. Larvae called 'magotaro-mushi' are used as fishing bait.
Did You Know?
Dobsonfly larvae are prized as live fishing bait in Japan and are collected from stream rocks by anglers targeting ayu (sweetfish).