Veliidae 309 



Gerris buenoi laid eggs in the laboratory on sticks, stems, bark, and 

 other floating material that was supplied. With aquaria large enough to 

 accommodate growing plants more satisfactory studies could be made. 



Limnoporus rufoscutellatus, like the other members of the family 

 Gerridae, is predacious, feeding upon insects to be found on the surface 

 of the water. The adults prefer to cling to vegetation or other support 

 most of the time. The nymphs seem to be more independent of sup- 

 ports, as they were reared in jelly glasses with no supporting surface 

 afforded. 



The rearing methods were essentially the same for the three species. 

 Jelly glasses were used for the most part as containers, while the food 

 consisted of flies, leafhoppers, and other soft-bodied insects. The jelly 

 glasses were half filled with water. Sand was not used in the containers. 

 Care had to be taken not to disturb the nymphs. When disturbed they 

 would make frantic efforts to escape and would often become water- 

 logged. When the body pile becomes thoroughly wet, the bugs will drown 

 unless removed to an aquarium containing only wet sand. After the 

 body is again clean and dry and the bug has recovered from the weaken- 

 ing effects of its struggles, it may be returned to the aquarium containing 

 water. Gerris remigis and G. marginatum were kept under the same con- 

 ditions with about the same degree of success.* 



M. E. D. 



Family veliidae 



WINTER FOOD FOR WATERBUGS IN AQUARIA** 



FLIES may be collected within buildings in limited numbers all 

 winter. Bruchus and Tribolium adults may be secured in quantities 

 from places where there are heavy infestations, kept in a large container 

 with their respective foods, and used as needed. Tenebrio molitor larvae 

 and Drosophila are satisfactory. 



However, the most successful food in the experience of the writer has 

 been cockroach nymphs. They are easy to secure, easy to handle, and 



♦Editor's Note: C. F. Curtis Riley, of the University of Manitoba, reported in Ent. 

 News 33:86, 1922, on the rearing of Gerris remigis and G. marginatus. Both will feed on 

 a variety of insect food, such as the pupae and adults of Culex, small and large species 

 of Tipulid flies, Syrphid flies, Musca domestica, Chironomus, Tabanus, and Drosophila. 

 G. remigis is a more vigorous and daring feeder than is G. marginatus and has been ob- 

 served to feed on Notonecta undulata, Chrysopa, Calopteryx maculata, Hetaerina ameri- 

 cana, and Arctocorixa. Both species have at times been noticed feeding on the soft parts 

 of banana fruit and on the inner soft parts of the skin in the absence of other food. 

 During confinement both species will suck the juices of freshly killed snails, Physa and 

 Planorbis. and also small pieces of fresh beef. M. E. D. 



** Abstracted from an article in Bull. Brooklyn Ent. Soc. 19:149, 1924- by William E. 

 Hoffmann, Ungnan University. 



