Water Treader vs Tailed Jay

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Water Treader Tailed Jay
Scientific Name Mesovelia mulsanti Graphium agamemnon
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Mesoveliidae Papilionidae
Size 3-4 mm Wingspan 80-100mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Americas, from United States to South America Asia, Oceania
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.

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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.

Tailed Jay

A fast-flying black swallowtail butterfly covered with spots of green or blue-green. It rarely settles and is constantly in motion.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few butterflies that flaps its wings even while feeding on flowers never fully stopping.