Water Treader vs Spotted Lanternfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Water Treader | Spotted Lanternfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mesovelia mulsanti | Lycorma delicatula |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Mesoveliidae | Fulgoridae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 25 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Americas, from United States to South America | Asia, North America (invasive) |
| 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.
Spotted Lanternfly
A colorful invasive planthopper from China threatening vineyards, orchards, and hardwood forests in North America. Adults have striking red hindwings revealed in flight.
Did You Know?
Spotted lanternflies are such a threat that multiple US states have quarantine zones — citizens are legally instructed to kill any lanternfly they see on sight.