Explanation of Names
Hydrometra Latreille 1796
Greek 'water measurer' (refers to the characteristic movement of the bug as it walks across its surface)
Identification
Adults resemble tiny
walkingsticks. Body, legs, and head very long and slender, eyes bulging and located slightly behind the middle of head length.
(4)Habitat
edges of ponds (on aquatic vegetation or walking slowly over water surface)
(4)Food
small invertebrates found on surface vegetation
Life Cycle
Eggs are laid either on vertical surfaces of plant stems or on ground several centimetres above water level
Remarks
The fusion of ganglia in these insects is extreme, with not even a separate subesophageal ganglion present, but fused along with all thoracic and abdominal ganglia.
See Also
waterscorpions (
Ranatra) are larger (>18 mm), have a long abdominal breathing tube, and live underwater
walkingsticks (Phasmatodea) are larger and live on land
thread-legged bugs (Emesinae) live on land and have relatively short heads
stilt bugs (Berytidae) live on land and have short heads with clubbed antennae
