Water Treader vs African Diving Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Water Treader | African Diving Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mesovelia mulsanti | Cybister tripunctatus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Mesoveliidae | Dytiscidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 25-35 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Americas, from United States to South America | Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Water Treader
A tiny, bright green semi-aquatic bug that walks on the surface of still waters among floating vegetation. It is widespread across the Americas and is often found on lily pads and duckweed. Both winged and wingless forms exist.
Did You Know?
It hunts by detecting the tiny ripples made by struggling prey items on the water surface, running across lily pads and open water to reach them.
African Diving Beetle
A large diving beetle widespread across Africa and southern Asia. It is one of the most common large aquatic beetles in tropical fresh waters.
Did You Know?
In parts of Southeast Asia it is collected and eaten as a crunchy protein-rich snack.