Surface-dwelling
Guides
Allacma fusca
Allacma fusca is a large springtail species endemic to western Continental Europe and the British Isles. Adults reach approximately 3.5 mm in length and inhabit moist terrestrial environments, particularly among leaf litter in surface soil layers. The species has been studied for its physiological tolerance to elevated carbon dioxide levels compared to deeper-soil springtails.
Dineutus angustus
whirligig beetle
Dineutus angustus is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, first described by LeConte in 1878. The species is found in North America. As a member of the genus Dineutus, it is among the larger whirligig beetles, characterized by a hidden scutellum and rounded elytral apices. Like other gyrinids, it inhabits the surface of freshwater bodies where it forms aggregations called rafts.
Dineutus ciliatus
whirligig beetle
Dineutus ciliatus is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. It is one of two genera of whirligig beetles found in Missouri, distinguished from the smaller Gyrinus by its larger size (~12 mm) and hidden scutellum. The species is found in North America and is distinguished from similar congeners primarily by its dark ventral coloration and dark legs, in contrast to the orange-legged D. emarginatus. Whirligig beetles are aquatic insects that live almost exclusively on the water surface, where they form aggregations called 'rafts' that provide anti-predator benefits through increased vigilance and chemical defense.
Gerroidea
Water Striders and Ripple Bugs
Gerroidea is a superfamily of semiaquatic true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) comprising at least three families—Gerridae (water striders), Veliidae (smaller water striders or riffle bugs), and Hermatobatidae—with over 2,000 described species. Members are specialized for life on the water surface, utilizing water-repellent legs and surface tension to remain afloat. The group occupies diverse aquatic habitats ranging from freshwater ponds and streams to marine coastal environments including mangroves and open ocean. Recent research has documented significant undescribed diversity in tropical regions and novel bacterial symbiont associations.
Gyretes
Gyretes is a genus of whirligig beetles (family Gyrinidae) containing approximately 181 species, primarily distributed in the Neotropics. Adults are aquatic surface-dwelling beetles found in freshwater habitats. The genus is characterized by specific morphological features of the reproductive tracts and immature stages that distinguish it from other gyrinid genera. Larval stages have been described for several species, with distinctive chaetotaxy patterns.
Gyrinidae
Whirligig Beetles
Whirligig beetles (family Gyrinidae) are aquatic beetles that inhabit the surface film of freshwater habitats worldwide. The family comprises approximately 700 extant species in 15 genera. These beetles are instantly recognizable by their habit of swimming rapidly in circles on the water surface when alarmed, a behavior that gives them their common name. They possess divided compound eyes—upper portions adapted for vision above water and lower portions for underwater viewing—a unique adaptation among insects. Members of this family are active predators and scavengers that form conspicuous aggregations or "rafts" on the water surface, which serve defensive functions through enhanced predator detection and possible aposematic signaling.
Gyrinus
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus is a genus of small aquatic beetles in the family Gyrinidae, commonly known as whirligig beetles. Members are strictly aquatic and live almost exclusively on the water surface, where they form conspicuous aggregations called rafts. They are native to multiple biogeographic regions including the Palearctic, Nearctic, North Africa, Asia, and Australia. The genus is distinguished from the larger Dineutus by its smaller size, exposed scutellum, and more pointed elytral apices.
Gyrinus dichrous
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus dichrous is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. It is found in North America, with distribution records from Canada (Nova Scotia, Ontario, Québec) and the United States. Whirligig beetles in the genus Gyrinus are generally smaller than those in the related genus Dineutus, with Gyrinus species typically measuring 5–8 mm in length compared to 10–12 mm for Dineutus. Members of this genus are distinguished by their visible scutellum, unlike Dineutus where the scutellum is concealed.
Gyrinus dubius
Gyrinus dubius is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. The species was described by Wallis in 1926 and is native to North America, with records from Canada including Labrador, Manitoba, and Newfoundland. As a member of the Gyrinidae, it shares the family's characteristic surface-dwelling aquatic lifestyle and rapid, erratic swimming behavior.
Gyrinus gehringi
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus gehringi is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, described by Chamberlain in 1929. The species is known from North America, with records from Canada including New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. Whirligig beetles in this genus are small to medium-sized aquatic beetles that live on the water surface, where they form conspicuous aggregations and exhibit rapid, erratic swimming behavior.
Gyrinus gibber
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus gibber is a species of whirligig beetle (family Gyrinidae) described by LeConte in 1868. Like other members of its family, it inhabits the water surface of freshwater habitats. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Ontario, Québec) and the United States. Whirligig beetles are named for their characteristic rapid, circling swimming patterns on water surfaces.
Gyrinus lecontei
Gyrinus lecontei is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, described by Fall in 1922. It occurs in North America, with distribution records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario) and presumably the United States. Like other members of the genus Gyrinus, it is expected to inhabit the surface of freshwater bodies. Specific details about its ecology and behavior remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Gyrinus maculiventris
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus maculiventris is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. It inhabits freshwater surface habitats in North America. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits the characteristic rapid, erratic circling behavior on water surfaces that gives whirligig beetles their common name.
Gyrinus marginellus
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus marginellus is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, described by Fall in 1922. It occurs in North America, with records from Canada (Québec) and the United States. Like other members of the genus Gyrinus, it is an aquatic beetle that lives on the water surface. The species is part of a taxonomically challenging group where identification often requires examination of ventral characters.
Gyrinus pachysomus
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus pachysomus is a species of whirligig beetle described by Fall in 1922. Like other members of the family Gyrinidae, this species inhabits the surface of freshwater bodies where it exhibits characteristic erratic, circling swimming behavior. The species is known from North America, though specific details regarding its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature.
Gyrinus picipes
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus picipes is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. It is found in North America, with records from multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. Whirligig beetles in this genus are characterized by their distinctive habit of swimming in erratic, circling patterns on the water surface.
Gyrinus pleuralis
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus pleuralis is a species of whirligig beetle described by Fall in 1922. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan) and presumably the United States. As a member of the family Gyrinidae, it is an aquatic beetle that lives on the water surface, though specific details of its biology are poorly documented.
Gyrinus plicifer
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus plicifer is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. It occurs in North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. Like other members of the genus, it inhabits the surface of freshwater bodies where it forms aggregations. The species was described by LeConte in 1852.
Gyrinus wallisi
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus wallisi is a species of whirligig beetle described by Fall in 1922. Members of the genus Gyrinus are small, surface-dwelling aquatic beetles known for their rapid, circular swimming patterns. This species occurs in North America, with records from Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, and Labrador.
Gyrinus woodruffi
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus woodruffi is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, described by Fall in 1922. It is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Gyrinus, it is a small, aquatic beetle that lives on the water surface in aggregations known as "rafts."
Husseyella turmalis
Husseyella turmalis is a small water strider in the family Veliidae, originally described as Microvelia turmalis by Drake & Harris in 1933. It belongs to the subfamily Microveliinae, a group of minute semiaquatic bugs that inhabit the surface film of freshwater habitats. The genus Husseyella is a small group within the Veliidae, and this species appears to have a limited number of documented observations.
Microvelia albonotata
Microvelia albonotata is a small water strider species in the family Veliidae, first described by Champion in 1898. It belongs to a genus of minute semiaquatic bugs commonly found on the water surface film. The species has been documented across a broad Neotropical and Nearctic range including the Caribbean, Middle America, North America, and South America. Like other Microvelia species, it is adapted to life at the air-water interface.
Microvelia americana
Broad-Shouldered Water Strider
Microvelia americana is a small water strider in the family Veliidae, commonly known as the Broad-Shouldered Water Strider. It inhabits aquatic environments across North America. As a member of the Gerromorpha, it is adapted to life on the water surface, using surface tension to move and forage.
Microvelia signata
Microvelia signata is a small water strider in the family Veliidae, found in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats across North and Middle America. Like other members of the genus Microvelia, it is adapted for life on the water surface, using surface tension to skate across ponds, streams, and other freshwater bodies. The species was described by Philip Uhler in 1894 and is recognized as a valid taxon in current classifications.
Platyvelia brachialis
smaller water strider
Platyvelia brachialis is a species of small water strider in the family Veliidae, distinguished from larger members of the related family Gerridae by its more compact body form. It inhabits freshwater surface habitats across a broad Neotropical and Nearctic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species is one of approximately 15 recognized species in the genus Platyvelia.
Rhagovelia oriander
Broad-shouldered Water Strider
Rhagovelia oriander is a species of small water strider in the family Veliidae, first described by Parshley in 1922. It belongs to a genus characterized by modified middle legs used for propulsion on water surfaces. The common name "Broad-shouldered Water Strider" refers to a distinctive morphological feature. Like other veliids, it inhabits the surface film of freshwater systems.
Rheumatobates tenuipes
Rheumatobates tenuipes is a water strider in the family Gerridae, first described by Meinert in 1895. It belongs to the subfamily Rhagodotarsinae, a group characterized by specialized adaptations for life on the water surface. The species occurs in North and Middle America. Like other gerrids, it occupies the air-water interface, exploiting surface tension to move and forage.
Trepobates floridensis
Trepobates floridensis is a species of water strider in the family Gerridae, first described by Drake & Harris in 1928. It is endemic to the southeastern United States, with a range extending throughout Florida into southern Georgia and west to Mississippi. As a member of the subfamily Trepobatinae, it inhabits freshwater surface habitats where it uses surface tension to locomote and forage.
Trepobatinae
small waterstriders
Trepobatinae is a subfamily of small waterstriders (Gerridae) established by Matsuda in 1960. The group has undergone extensive radiation on New Guinea and surrounding archipelagos, with particularly high diversity in Melanesia. Four tribes are currently recognized: Metrobatini, Naboandelini, Stenobatini, and Trepobatini. The subfamily includes both freshwater and marine forms, with marine species concentrated in the New Guinea region.
Trichopetalum
A genus of millipedes in the family Trichopetalidae, order Chordeumatida. Contains seven described species, all surface-dwelling or troglophilic. The genus is notable for the first documented authentic chordeumatidan spermatophores and the production of a sticky defensive secretion from segmental setae bases. Species occur in North America, primarily the United States.
Veliidae
riffle bugs, small water striders, broad-shouldered water striders, ripple bugs
Veliidae is a large family of predatory true bugs in the suborder Heteroptera, comprising approximately 1173 species across 66 genera. Members are small (1.5–6 mm), surface-dwelling insects that walk on water using surface tension and hydrophobic leg adaptations. They are distinguished from the related family Gerridae by their broader pronotum, smaller size, and internal genitalia differences. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution excluding Antarctica, with centers of origin in the Indo-Malayan region and the Caribbean.