Mesovelia mulsanti

The main range is from southern Canada to Texas, but it is also found in Central America,^[3] South America,^[3] the Caribbean^[3] and Hawaii.^[4]

Mesovelia mulsanti inhabits a variety of freshwater environments, especially standing water with abundant floating vegetation such as duckweed and algae. It occurs in both shaded and unshaded areas.^[4]

A study conducted from 1983 to 1986 in Union County, Illinois,^[4] documented that M. mulsanti is typically trivoltine, producing three full generations per year, with a potential partial fourth generation in late autumn. The species overwinters exclusively as eggs; nymphs and adults do not survive freezing conditions.

In subtropical and tropical regions such as Florida and the Caribbean, M. mulsanti may reproduce year-round, often without entering diapause, due to the absence of cold periods.

Mesovelia mulsanti is a surface-dwelling predator, feeding on small invertebrates, primarily insects, found on or near the water surface. It may also prey on crustaceans that rise to the surface film.^[4]