Merragata

Buchanan-White, 1877

velvet water bugs

Species Guides

2

Merragata is a of small aquatic true bugs in the Hebridae, commonly known as velvet water bugs. The genus contains seven described distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. Members of this genus inhabit moist, vegetated shoreline where they prey on small .

Merragata by (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Merragata brunnea by (c) Even Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Even Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.Merragata brunnea by (c) Even Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Even Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Merragata: /mɛraˈɡaːta/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other Hebridae by a combination of body proportions and genitalic structures; specific identification to level requires examination of male genitalia. Members of this genus can be separated from the related genus Hebrometra by differences in the structure of the male parameres and the shape of the abdominal sternites.

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Habitat

Moist, vegetated margins of streams, ponds, and other freshwater bodies; typically found on wet mud, moss, or vegetation at the water's edge rather than in open water.

Distribution

Neotropical region; records exist from Colombia (CO) and described from various Central and South American localities.

Behavior

Surface-dwelling that hunt small prey in the thin film of water on wet substrates at the margins of aquatic .

Ecological Role

Predatory component of shoreline in freshwater .

Similar Taxa

  • HebrometraConvergent body form and shared Hebridae; distinguished by male genitalic structures and abdominal sternite .
  • HebrusShared Hebridae and similar microhabitat preferences; Merragata are generally larger with different body proportions.

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