Picromerus Predatory Bug vs Water Boatman
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Picromerus Predatory Bug | Water Boatman |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Picromerus bidens | Corixa punctata |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Pentatomidae | Corixidae |
| Size | 11-14 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, northern Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Picromerus Predatory Bug
A dark brown predatory stink bug with two prominent pronotal spines found across Europe. It is an important natural enemy of caterpillars in forests and orchards. Adults have a distinctly spiny appearance.
Did You Know?
It hunts by gripping caterpillars many times its own weight with its strong forelegs while injecting paralyzing saliva, then draining the prey over several hours.
Water Boatman
A small, oval aquatic bug with oar-like hind legs fringed with swimming hairs. Unlike most aquatic bugs, water boatmen are primarily herbivores that scrape algae from underwater surfaces.
Did You Know?
Male water boatmen produce the loudest sound relative to body size of any animal on Earth, singing at 99 decibels by rubbing a ridge on their genitalia against their abdomen.