Marine Biology Research Division

Among millions of insect species known in the world only five species of Halobates (Heteroptera: Gerridae) are able to live in the high seas. The general public is probably not aware that there are insects living on the open ocean and even most marine scientists have never seen a live or preserved specimen with their own eyes. The genus Halobates was first collected during a Russian oceanographic expedition around the world between 1815 and 1818.