Observations on the field life history of Steinovelia stagnalis (Hemiptera: Veliidae) in Southern Illinois, U.S.A., with a survey of the biological literature

The field life history of Steinovelia stagnalis (Burmeister) was studied in southern Illinois from 1983 through 1986. This species overwintered as adults, which became active in late March and were last collected in late October. Early instars (1sts-3rds) were found from early May to early September, and late instars (4ths-5ths) from late May to mid-September, but the occurrence of each instar was not continuous. The sequences of peaks of the five instars suggest that this species is bivoltine in southern Illinois. A survey of the biological literature is included.