Numbers
15 species in 3 genera in North America listed at
nearctica.comIdentification
body stout, velvety; antennae as long as or slightly longer than head; pronotum trapezoidal with prominent "shoulders"; prominent bucculae (ridges) extend length of head, and rostrum (labium) rests in deep groove between them; tarsi 2-segmented; pronotum and corium, when present, without deep puncture marks; forewing without costal fracture; forewing membrane, when present, without veins
[adapted from description at
lucidcentral.com]
1 a. Antennae distinctly shorter than greatest width of pronotum; antennal segments stout, 4th segment subequal to 1st segment {Merragata}
1 b. Not as above {2}
2 a. 4th antennal segment with constriction in middle, making antennae appear 5-segmented {Hebrus}
2 b. 4th antennal segment without constriction in middle {Lipogomphus}
Range
Hebrus and Merragata widespread. Lipogomphus southern.
Habitat
Aquatic: on surface or on shoreline of shallow ponds or stagnant pools filled with dense vegetation.
Food
Adults and nymphs feed on small insects.
