Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
formerly treated as a subgenus of
Gerris; reviewed in
(1)Explanation of Names
Aquarius Schellenberg, 1800
Numbers
5 spp. in US, 2 in Canada
(2), 18 spp. total
Identification
hind tibia at least 4 times as long as metatarsomere 1; connexival spines prominent; pronotum dull; antennomere 1 more than 0.9 as long as antennomeres 2+3; adults winged or wingless
Gerris: connexival spines not prominent, metatibia <3.3 as long as metatarsomere 1
Limnoporus: antennomere 1 <0.8 length of antennomeres 2+3
Range
worldwide, but mostly holarctic; throughout NA
(1)Habitat
surface of ponds, lakes, slow-moving streams, rivers
Remarks
Taxonomy of the
Aquarius remigis group, q.v., needs further study; that group will be likely moved to a separate genus within or sister to the
Gerris clade. The only 'true'
Aquarius in our area are
A. conformis and
A. nebularis, both members of
A. elongatus group.