Using laboratory experiments, I determined the palatability of eight species of freshwater surface Hemiptera to potential fish predators (Lepomis macrochirusbluegill, and Gambusia affinis -gambusia). Species tested included five from the family Gerridae (Trepobates inermis, Rheumatobates palosi, Rheumatobates tenuipes. Gerris marginatus. and Gerris remiais), one from the family Mesoveliidae (Mesovelia mulsanti) , and two from the family Veliidae (Microvelia americana and Microvelia pulchella).

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... ield collections of gambusia and bluegill were also made to determine by stomach analysis the importance of surface Hemiptera in their diet. The Gerridae tested were palatable to gambusia and bluegill but both Veliidae were unpalatable to both fish species. Results for Mesovelia mulsanti were mixed: gambusia rejected them while bluegill ate them. Stomach analyses indicated that surface Hemiptera are probably at most only an incidental and sporadic part of fish diets. viii