Abstract
Velia caprai Tamanini (Hemiptera: Veliidae) is predominantly a stream dweller, and has been considered univoltine in the British Isles, with adults overwintering in a reproductively immature state. This study reveals a far more complex life‐cycle. Dissections of females captured between October 1986 and March 1987 revealed that while 17% of individuals had deposits of adipose tissue and showed no reproductive development (diapause individuals), the majority of females examined (83%) revealed mature ovaries. This presence of a non‐diapause overwintering subpopulation of reproductively mature females has not been previously recorded for this species. The absence of adipose tissue in these latter females, plus the presence of obviously full guts in 24% of cases—indicating very recent feeding—supports this non‐diapause overwintering. Sampling also revealed that fifth instar larvae overwintered and these comprised 2.3% of all individuals (excluding first instar larvae) captured between November 1986 and March ...
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