HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp

Clickable Guide

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Registration is open for the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2023

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29

Previous events

TaxonomyBrowse

Info

ImagesLinksBooksData

Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Bugs (Heteroptera) » Semiaquatic Bugs (Gerromorpha) » Gerroidea » Smaller Water Striders (Veliidae)

Family Veliidae - Smaller Water Striders

Classification · Other Common Names · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Food · Remarks · Works Cited

Microvelia (subgenus Kirkaldya) gerhardi? - Microvelia - male

Gerromorpha; Veliidae; Microvelia - Microvelia

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Infraorder Gerromorpha (Semiaquatic Bugs)

Superfamily Gerroidea

Family Veliidae (Smaller Water Striders)

Other Common Names

Riffle Bugs, Broad-Shouldered Water Striders; Ripple Bugs (genus Rhagovelia)

Explanation of Names

Veliidae Amyot & Serville 1843

Numbers

the largest gerromorphan family, with almost 1000 spp. in ~60 genera worldwide(1); second largest in our area, with 34 spp. in 5 genera(2); 9 spp. in 2 genera in MI(3); 18 spp. in 5 genera in FL(4)

Size

1.5-6 mm(4) (exotic spp. up to 9 mm)(5)

Identification

pronotum broader than abdomen (as reflected in the common name); hind femur not longer than abdomen; pre-apical tarsal claws; usually wingless and dark-colored, sometimes with silvery markings

key to NA genera in(6)(4)(7)

NB: to tell adults from nymphs, look at meso-/metatarsi (one-segmented in nymphs, two-segmented in adults)

Range

worldwide; in our area, so. Canada and throughout the US(6)

Habitat

on water surface among vegetation in temporary or permanent ponds, lake margins, placid areas of streams (Microvelia and Velia species) or in rapids/riffles in streams (Rhagovelia species); some may be found on plants away from water(4), also saltwater habitats, mud flats(1)

Food

predaceous on other surface-dwelling arthropods, detecting prey via surface vibrations

Remarks

Pretarsal structure most diverse among Gerromorpha, the mesotarsal ventral arolium (turned into a 'swimming fan') being the most distinctive feature(8)

Works Cited

1.	Biodiversity of the Heteroptera Henry T.J. 2009. In: Foottit R.G., Adler P.H., eds. Insect biodiversity: Science and society. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell: 223−263.

2.	American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico Ross H. Arnett. 2000. CRC Press.

3.	Bright E. (2002-2011) Aquatic Insects of Michigan

4.	Identification manual for the aquatic and semi-aquatic Heteroptera of Florida Epler J.H. 2006. FL Dept. Env. Prot., Tallahassee, FL. 186 pp.

5.	What Bug Is That? The guide to Australian insect families

6.	Aquatic Insects of North America R. W. Merritt, K. W. Cummins, M.B. Berg. 2008. Kendall/Hunt.

7.	The Veliidae (Heteroptera) of America north of Mexico Smith, Cecil L. and John T. Polhemus. 1978. Proceedings of The Entomological Society of Washington 80(1): 56-68.

8.	Evolution of the Insects David Grimaldi and Michael S. Engel. 2005.

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 31 July, 2005 - 12:14am
Additional contributions by Steve Nanz, Stephen_WV, Beatriz Moisset, v belov
Last updated 3 October, 2019 - 12:02am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version