From: "Christopher Rogers" <crogers at ecoanalysts.com> on 2009.07.17 at 23:01:57(19568)
Hey, Ted!
Years ago I had a severe aphid infestation on my Pistia,Lemna and Spirodella. I went out and collected some Hydrometrids, or “watermeasurers” or “marsh treaders” if you prefer. These predatory insects did agreat job of cleaning them out. I put three in the aquarium and in a month theaphids were gone and I had many more Hydrometrids. You will find them in Michiganwalking on permanent water where there is heavy emergent vegetation andprotection from waves. I have found them on large lakes in northern Montana wherethere are small protected inlets with lots of emergent vegetation and shade. Ihave also found them along quiet streams under overhanging banks.
Here are some links:
http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/~ethanbr/aim/sp/heteroptera/sp_hom_hydrometridae.html
http://www.umd.umich.edu/eic/aquatic_insecta/hemiptera/hydrometridae_family.htm
http://www.waterbugkey.vcsu.edu/php/familydetail.php?idnum=9&f=Hydrometridae&ls=adult
Cheers,
Christopher
D.Christopher Rogers
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