This is a Northern European species that is usually found in Britain along the coastal counties. It occurs at the margins of rivers and lakes where the edges are silty or silt between rocks, vegetation cover is essential and it makes for this when disturbed rather than heading for the water.

There are two distinct types of life-cycle. In one cycle eggs overwinter and hatch in early May: larval development takes some 2 months and the adults of the year are present from early July onwards, mating in July and August. Oviposition takes place usually in August - in this cycle the egg stage lasts some 9 months or so. The other cycle involves overwintering as adults and mating in May or June: eggs laid by these bugs develop rapidly and new adults occur by early August (SWL, 1959).

Distribution:

Found at Etton-maxey Nature Reserve in August and September 2015.

Habitat:

This occurs at the margins of rivers and lakes where the marginal area is silty - sometimes amid boulders on silt - and vegetation present in the immediate vicinity. This is also found in brackish habitats particularly when it is in the southern end of its range (SWL, 1959).

Identification: