Ponderous Borer vs Backswimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ponderous Borer | Backswimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trichocnemis spiculatus | Notonecta glauca |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Cerambycidae | Notonectidae |
| Size | 40-60 mm | 14-16 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Western United States, British Columbia | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ponderous Borer
One of the largest cerambycids in North America, this prionine breeds in the roots and lower trunks of dead ponderosa pines. Adults are dark brown with a somewhat rough body surface. They are nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Did You Know?
Larval development can take up to six years in dry dead wood, one of the longest development times for any beetle.
Backswimmer
An aquatic bug that swims upside down just beneath the water surface, using its long hind legs as oars. Its back is keeled like a boat hull and pale-colored for camouflage when viewed from below.
Did You Know?
Backswimmers swim inverted with their pale backs facing downward, providing counter-shading camouflage against the bright sky when predators look up from below.