Hydrometra stagnorum

Hydrometra stagnorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Gerromorpha
Family: Hydrometridae
Subfamily: Hydrometrinae
Genus: Hydrometra
Species: H. stagnorum
Binomial name
Hydrometra stagnorum
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Hydrometra stagnorum searching of prey

Hydrometra stagnorum is a species of aquatic bug in the family Hydrometridae, the water measurers.[1][2][3]

Distribution

This species is found in numerous European countries, including Hungary and Austria.[4] In Great Britain it is quite common in Leicestershire and Rutland.[5]

Description

Hydrometra stagnorum is normally wingless, but sometimes has full wings. It is often dark greyish or even black in colour, and grows to approximately 13mm. The head and body are long and thin. Its antennae appear similar to a fourth pair of legs.[6]

Habitat

This species lives at the vegetated margins in slow moving streams, as well as ditches and ponds. It lives close to the emergent stems of plants, upon which it lays its eggs.[7]

Behaviour

As adults, rows slowly over the surface of the water in search of prey. It seeks mosquito larvae and water fleas directly below the surface film. It catches these by spearing them through the surface of the water.[8]

This species can jump if disturbed.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "NatureSpot". NatureSpot. 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
  2. ↑ "Water Measurer (Hydrometra Stagnorum) - Digital Grin Photography Forum". Dgrin.com. 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
  3. ↑ "Hydrometra stagnorum". Chris Schuster. 2005-06-21. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
  4. ↑ http://essigdb.berkeley.edu/cgi/eme_query?stat=BROWSE&query_src=eme_Browse&where-Class=Insecta&where-Ordr=Hemiptera&where-Family=Hydrometridae&where-PublicAcess=null&where-ScientificName=Hydrometra+stagnorum
  5. ↑ http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/water-measurer
  6. ↑ http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/water-measurer
  7. ↑ http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/water-measurer
  8. ↑ http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/water-measurer
  9. ↑ http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/water-measurer
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