THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION

Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands
An Identification Guide and Educational Resource

Hebridae
(velvet water bugs)
Body is compact and the femora lack stout spines; the tips of the wings are not veined; never larger than than 2 mm.

Hydrometridae
(marsh treaders, water measurers)
Body is long, stick-like (>8 mm when mature); head is very elongated, with antennae located close to the tip some distance away from the eyes.

Macroveliidae
(macroveliid shore bugs)
Body is compact and the femora lack stout spines; wingtips are not veined; > 4 mm when mature.

Mesoveliidae
(water treaders)
Body is compact (2-4 mm when mature); wingtips are not veined; the legs have at least one or two stout spines on the femora.