This small bug is called "The Sphagnum bug" as it usually occurs in Sphagnum at the margins of acid pools, lakes and streams. In Northants this appears to be confined to a small number of sites around ponds and damp areas that are mildly acidic in mosses. There are two species of Herbrus in the UK with this being the most common and Hebrus pusilus being confined to the south coast.

Adults overwinter and eggs are laid from May onwards on the roots and fronds of Sphagnum. Development takes about two months from egg, through five nymphal instars, to adult.

They are predators that feed on small insects and arthropods.

Distribution:

This could be widespread across the county and locally common when found. It is found in 6 sites across Northants including, Woodston ponds, Hollywell Fishponds, Swaddywell Pit, Dogsthorpe Star Pit, Yardley Chase and Pole brook airfield.

Habitat:

This is found in mildly acidic areas areas in amongst mosses in Northants but can also be found on moist soil at the edges of shorelines of lakes and rivers, in wet mosses (ENM, 2015)

Identification:

This is a small bug with a reddish head and pronotum. The antennae has 5 segments ( Microvelia and Dispsocoridae having 4 segments) and the claws are attached at the apex of the front tarsus, where Microvelia have the claws attached well before the apex.