North American Backswimmer vs Tooth Cave Ground Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | North American Backswimmer | Tooth Cave Ground Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Notonecta undulata | Rhadine persephone |
| Order | Hemiptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Notonectidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 0.5-0.7 cm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Caves |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
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.
Tooth Cave Ground Beetle
A tiny eyeless ground beetle found only in a few limestone caves near Austin, Texas. It is a specialized predator of other cave invertebrates.
Did You Know?
It is completely blind and has never been found outside of the total darkness of cave systems.