This is a small (1.9mm) semi-aquatic bug, living on the water surface. It is found in still or very slowly flowing water, usually where there is a thick growth of emergent vegetation such as reeds or sedges, or where there is extensive growth of overhanging marginal vegetation. Beyond the need for still and sheltered conditions, it has been found in acid pools in heathland and in bogs and in fairly cancerous water in ditches and river backwaters.

They are predacious and have been observed to attach small crustacea and large ciliate Protista through the surface film, often raising them out of the water on the extended rostrum to feed. They also attack surface-dwelling animals such as springtails.

The adult has been recorded in all months between March and November and probably over winters. Nymphs have been recorded as late as November. (PK, 1992)

Distribution:

This is well distributed across Northants occurring in 11 10km squares and 17 5km squares. With more recording is being found more widespread in more sites. In Northants this is a more local species rather that scarce. In the wider picture, Northants is at it's most Northerly distribution but looks to be moving up the country.

Habitat:

This prefers still and sheltered areas amongst overhanging vegetation. We are finding it in late successional habitats with overhanging vegetation like overhanging willows at Byfield Pool, Fineshade wood and Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows, and sedges at Wickes Meadow, Priors Hall and Pitsford Reservoir.

Identification:

With 4 segments to the antennae this differentiates Microvelidae from Hebridae. The orange windows on the abdomen, the arrangement of the Pronotum/mesonotum/Metanotum and the differences in hind tarsi will tell the species. The hind tarsi T1 and T2 in M.pygmaea are the same size but in M.reticulata T2 is shorter.