Water Cricket
Velia caprai
This record describes Velia caprai (species). Recorded family: Veliidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length: up to 8.5mm. May be winged or wingless. It has a stouter and shorter body than pondskaters, with two transverse red lines along the abdomen in adults plus pairs of white spots on the thorax and abdomen. Velia saulii is very similar, though much less common in VC55. Velia caprai is best identified from wingless females which show a narrow, sinuous collar-like tergum immediately below the thorax which is lacking in V. saulii. There are two very similar Water Crickets. A good dorsal macro photo of a wingless female should show the key ID feature. Without a suitable photo you should explain your ID method. Still and slow moving water and streams. Rarely in ponds. The eggs are laid in long rows on floating plants and are found in May and June, nymphs from June to August. Adults feed on various small insects that have died and fallen into the water. Five larval stages, and two or three generations a year have been observed.
Wikipedia reference for Velia caprai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velia_caprai.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Still and slow moving water and streams. Rarely in ponds.
Seasonal Activity
All year (adults over-winter)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The eggs are laid in long rows on floating plants and are found in May and June, nymphs from June to August. Adults feed on various small insects that have died and fallen into the water. Five larval stages, and two or three generations a year have been observed.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Common throughout Britain.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Velia caprai. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Water Cricket (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Cricket
What is Water Cricket?
Water Cricket (Velia caprai) is a species in the family Veliidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Water Cricket?
up to 8.5mm. May be winged or wingless. It has a stouter and shorter body than pondskaters, with two transverse red lines along the abdomen in adults plus pairs of white spots on the thorax and abdomen.
Where is Water Cricket found?
Habitat: Still and slow moving water and streams. Rarely in ponds.
When is Water Cricket active?
Water Cricket: seasonal activity - All year (adults over-winter).
What is the life cycle of a Water Cricket?
The eggs are laid in long rows on floating plants and are found in May and June, nymphs from June to August. Adults feed on various small insects that have died and fallen into the water. Five larval stages, and two or three generations a year have been observed.