Scientific name: Cavaticovelia aaa

Hawaiian Name: —

Classification: Phylum: Arthropoda. Class: Insecta: Family: Mesoveliidae.

Origin: Endemic.

Status: Very rare.

Distribution: Caves on the Big Island.

Map: —

The water treaders (family Mesoveliidae) are members of the most primitive lineage of semiaquatic bugs. As their common name indicates, they skim along the surface of still water where they prey on smaller soft-bodied invertebrates. This little bug is only found in association with moist areas in lava tubes on the Big Island and is rarely seen (even with a flashlight!).