Hebroidea

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Gerromorpha
Superfamily: Hebroidea

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hebroidea: /hɛˈbrɔɪdiə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Hebrus consolidus 1 by Fredlyfish4. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Hebrus consolidus 2 by Fredlyfish4. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Merragata hebroides by Fredlyfish4. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Merragata hebroides 2 by Fredlyfish4. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Oravelia pege AMNH ENT 00024168 by American Museum of Natural History. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Macrovelia hornii 165510653 by Chloe and Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

The superfamily Hebroidea consists of the family Hebridae, which are the smallest members of the Gerromorpha, known as velvet water bugs. They are semiaquatic insects that live among moss or vegetation in ponds and are adapted to various aquatic habitats. With a unique physical appearance, they rely on their specialized morphology to thrive in their environments.

Physical Characteristics

Small size, ranging from 1.3 to 3.7 mm. Characterized by a layer of short, dense hairs covering their entire body, except on the abdomen and appendages. Typically dark-colored with a long beak that reaches to the middle pair of legs, located in a ventral groove on their heads. Tarsi in two segments and apical claws are present, lacking preapical claws. Wings are well-developed to short or may be absent, and if present, the wing's membrane lacks distinct veins.

Identification Tips

Look for the short, dense hair covering the body and the long beak reaching to the middle pair of legs. They display a unique body shape and broad pronota that is usually more pronounced than the rest of the body. Presence of apical claws is also a distinguishing trait.

Habitat

Found on floating vegetated portions of ponds, in mats of moss, interstices, or sloping stream banks that may have sparse vegetation. Some species inhabit specific environments, such as waterwashed rocks near streams or waterfalls, and a few can tolerate saline, brackish, or marine conditions.

Distribution

World-wide distribution with the greatest diversity found in Asian tropical regions.

Diet

Prey on small arthropods, utilizing their long beak to extract nutrients.

Life Cycle

Eggs are laid on substrates such as moss and are attached lengthwise with a gel-like substance. Development details are not explicitly described in the provided text.

Reproduction

Eggs are attached to substrates like moss with a gel-like substance, indicating a form of external fertilization, though specific reproductive behaviors are not detailed.

Ecosystem Role

As predators of small arthropods, they play a role in controlling populations of their prey and contribute to the aquatic food web.