Whitefly vs Streamlined Backswimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Whitefly | Streamlined Backswimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bemisia tabaci | Notonecta irrorata |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Aleyrodidae | Notonectidae |
| Size | 1-1.5 mm | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Cosmopolitan in warm regions | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Whitefly
A tiny sap-sucking insect that transmits over 100 plant viruses worldwide. It is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in tropical and subtropical regions.
Did You Know?
It is actually a complex of over 40 cryptic species that are morphologically nearly identical.
Streamlined Backswimmer
A pale backswimmer with mottled wings found in still and slow-moving waters across North America. Like other backswimmers, it hangs just below the water surface film waiting for prey vibrations. It is a strong underwater swimmer.
Did You Know?
It senses prey by detecting surface water vibrations with specialized sensory hairs on its legs, effectively turning the water surface into a detection web.