Hebroidea
Amyot & Serville, 1843
Velvet Water Bugs
Family Guides
2- Hebridae(Velvet Water Bugs)
- Macroveliidae(Macroveliid Shore Bugs)
Hebroidea is a superfamily of Heteroptera (true bugs) established by Amyot & Serville in 1843, containing the Hebridae. Members are known as velvet water bugs and represent the smallest group within the infraorder Gerromorpha. They inhabit semiaquatic environments with dense vegetation.
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.
Identification
The single Hebridae can be distinguished from other Gerromorpha by their small size and veliid-like appearance. They are the smallest members of the infraorder. Unlike surface-skating gerromorphans such as Gerridae (water striders) or Veliidae (small water striders), hebrids walk or run across water surfaces rather than skating or sculling.
Images
Habitat
Semiaquatic environments among moss or ponds with abundant vegetation. Various ecologies in the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey have been documented.
Distribution
Global distribution with documented presence in the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey (provinces: Adıyaman, Batman, Gaziantep, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Siirt, Şanlıurfa, Şırnak). Observations recorded on iNaturalist suggest broader geographic range.
Diet
Prey on small arthropods.
Behavior
Sometimes move across water surfaces, but walk or run rather than skate or scull on the surface.
Similar Taxa
- Gerromorpha (other superfamilies)Other gerromorphans (Gerridae, Veliidae, etc.) skate or scull on water surfaces; Hebroidea walk or run and are notably smaller.
More Details
Taxonomic note
Hebroidea is placed in infraorder Dipsocoromorpha according to Catalogue of Life, though iNaturalist and some sources place it in Gerromorpha. The superfamily contains only the Hebridae.