Hydrometra stagnorum
Encyclopedia
Hydrometra stagnorum is a species
of aquatic bug
in the family Hydrometridae
, the water measurerers.
and Rutland
.
This species can jump if disturbed.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of aquatic bug
Hemiptera
Hemiptera is an order of insects most often known as the true bugs , comprising around 50,000–80,000 species of cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and others...
in the family Hydrometridae
Hydrometridae
Hydrometridae is a family of semi-aquatic insects, known as marsh treaders or water measurers. They have a characteristic elongated head and body which makes them resemble a yardstick for measuring the water surface.-Appearance:...
, the water measurerers.
Distribution
This species is found in numerous European countries, including Hungary and Austria. In Great Britain it is quite common in LeicestershireLeicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
and Rutland
Rutland
Rutland is a landlocked county in central England, bounded on the west and north by Leicestershire, northeast by Lincolnshire and southeast by Peterborough and Northamptonshire....
.
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.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.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.This species can jump if disturbed.
