Water Treader vs Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Water Treader | Evergreen Bagworm Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mesovelia mulsanti | Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Mesoveliidae | Psychidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | Males 25 mm wingspan; females wingless and legless |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Gardens |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Americas, from United States to South America | Eastern North America |
| 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.
Evergreen Bagworm Moth
A North American bagworm whose larvae construct spindle-shaped bags covered in bits of leaves and twigs. Heavy infestations can completely defoliate and kill ornamental evergreen trees.
Did You Know?
The adult female is so reduced that she is essentially a bag of eggs with no wings, legs, eyes, or functional mouthparts.