The family Gerridae is another closely related group that is also neuston and both are in the superfamily Gerroidea.

A general description is as follows: an oval to elongate body covered with hydrofuge hairs.

[3] The present distribution of these species points to two centers of origin: one in the Indo-Malayan region and another on the shores of the Caribbean Sea.

[5] Both the adults and nymphs live together gregariously, in loose communities and can often be found in large groups.

Eggs are usually laid underwater, attached to the stream bed, rocks or plant material and held together by a gelatinous substance.

Thousands of hydrofugal hairs also coat the entire body, mitigating potential problems incurred by water contact: air bubbles, trapped among the tiny hairs if the insect is submerged, lift the insect towards the surface again.