Streamlined Backswimmer vs Apollo Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Streamlined Backswimmer Apollo Butterfly
Scientific Name Notonecta irrorata Parnassius apollo
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Notonectidae Papilionidae
Size 10-13 mm 62-86 mm wingspan
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Mountain ranges of Europe and central Asia
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Streamlined Backswimmer

A pale backswimmer with mottled wings found in still and slow-moving waters across North America. Like other backswimmers, it hangs just below the water surface film waiting for prey vibrations. It is a strong underwater swimmer.

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Did You Know?

It senses prey by detecting surface water vibrations with specialized sensory hairs on its legs, effectively turning the water surface into a detection web.

Apollo Butterfly

A large white butterfly with translucent wings bearing red and black eyespots, found on mountain slopes. It is one of Europe's most iconic and threatened montane species.

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Did You Know?

After mating, the male deposits a waxy plug called a sphragis on the female to prevent rival matings.