Streamlined Backswimmer vs Black-tailed Skimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Streamlined Backswimmer | Black-tailed Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Notonecta irrorata | Orthetrum cancellatum |
| Order | Hemiptera | Odonata |
| Family | Notonectidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 44-50 mm body length |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
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.
Black-tailed Skimmer
A robust dragonfly with a powder-blue abdomen tipped with black in mature males. It basks flat on bare ground and gravel banks beside open water.
Did You Know?
Unlike most dragonflies, it prefers to rest flat on the ground rather than perching on vegetation.