The valid names of six families of the Gerromorpha are now available in
the plant bug database authority file. The names were extracted from Catalog of the Heteroptera, or True Bugs, of Canada and the Continental
United States,
Henry, Thomas J., and Richard C. Froeschner, eds. Gerridae: Over 1,700 species of gerrids have been discovered; more than 50 of them can be found in North America. The nickname 'water striders' comes from their ability to transfer weight and walk on water. They find food by sensing ripples on the water and capturing insects that have fallen in.  Hebridae: Velvet water bugs (not to be confused with the velvety water bugs) have a covering of tiny, water-repelling hairs. Cannabalism has been reported among these semi-aquatic predators.  Hydrometridae: These long thin bugs are predators and scavengers who walk slowly through the vegetation at the edges of ponds and streams (hence the name 'marsh treaders.') Most of the Hydrometridae are wingless.  Macroveliidae: These water bugs were separated from the Vellidae due to differences in the tarsal claw structure. A small family with only two genera, macrovelids live along moving water and feed on other insects.  Mesoveliidae: Mesovelids are at home in a variety of habitats, from from lakes to forest floors. They feed on tiny prey such as mosquito larvae and microcrustaceans, and are also known as water treaders  Vellidae: There are several common names for the Vellidae, including rifle bugs, water crickets and shouldered water striders. They are predatory bugs that live in a variety of water environments, from open water to mudflats; a few live in salt water along coasts.  |
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