Water Scorpion vs North American Backswimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Water Scorpion | North American Backswimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nepa cinerea | Notonecta undulata |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Nepidae | Notonectidae |
| Size | 18-22 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Water Scorpion
A flat aquatic bug that lurks in shallow water resembling a dead leaf. It breathes through a long tail-like siphon that breaks the water surface.
Did You Know?
Despite its name and scorpion-like raptorial forelegs, the water scorpion is a weak swimmer and instead ambushes prey from vegetation.
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.