Water Measurer
Hydrometra stagnorum
This record describes Hydrometra stagnorum (species). Recorded family: Hydrometridae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length about 13mm. It has a very long, thin head, a slender body and its antennae resemble a fourth pair of legs. Usually wingless but occasionally fully winged. It often has a dark greyish or even black appearance. Ditches, ponds and slow moving streams. Found at vegetated margins of all types of water body, providing there are vertical emergent plant stems available as egg-laying sites. The adult moves slowly across the water surface in search of prey, lying just below, or in the surface film, it feeds on mosquito larvae and water fleas which it spears through the surface film. It will jump if disturbed. Distributed throughout Britain though commoner in the south.
Wikipedia reference for Hydrometra stagnorum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrometra_stagnorum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera
- Family
- Hydrometridae
- Genus
- Hydrometra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Ditches, ponds and slow moving streams. Found at vegetated margins of all types of water body, providing there are vertical emergent plant stems available as egg-laying sites.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moves slowly across the water surface in search of prey, lying just below, or in the surface film, it feeds on mosquito larvae and water fleas which it spears through the surface film. It will jump if disturbed.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed throughout Britain though commoner in the south.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Hydrometra stagnorum. 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 Measurer (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Measurer
What is Water Measurer?
Water Measurer (Hydrometra stagnorum) is a species in the family Hydrometridae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Water Measurer?
about 13mm. It has a very long, thin head, a slender body and its antennae resemble a fourth pair of legs. Usually wingless but occasionally fully winged. It often has a dark greyish or even black appearance.
Where is Water Measurer found?
Habitat: Ditches, ponds and slow moving streams. Found at vegetated margins of all types of water body, providing there are vertical emergent plant stems available as egg-laying sites.
When is Water Measurer active?
Water Measurer: seasonal activity - The adult moves slowly across the water surface in search of prey, lying just below, or in the surface film, it feeds on mosquito larvae and water fleas which it spears through the surface film. It will jump if disturbed..