Observations on the life history of giant water bugs <i>Lethocerus</i> Mayr, 1853 (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Belostomatidae) in the Gangetic plains of India and Nepal
Two species of giant water bugs Lethocerus were found in the Gangetic plains of northern India and Nepal. Lethocerus indicus is widespread, whereas a single record of Lethocerus patruelis confirms the eastern distribution range in Bihar. Four instars of aquatic nymphs occur exclusively in temporary...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society
2013-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Threatened Taxa |
| Online Access: | http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/891 |
| _version_ | 1818033713596858368 |
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| author | H. Nesemann G. Sharma |
| author_facet | H. Nesemann G. Sharma |
| author_sort | H. Nesemann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Two species of giant water bugs Lethocerus were found in the Gangetic plains of northern India and Nepal. Lethocerus indicus is widespread, whereas a single record of Lethocerus patruelis confirms the eastern distribution range in Bihar. Four instars of aquatic nymphs occur exclusively in temporary shallow stagnant water bodies which harbor rich amphibian populations but lack permanent fish fauna. From mid-August to the first week of November adults fly. Later they live submerged in aquatic habitats of large rivers and permanent stagnant water bodies which harbor diverse fish fauna. Repeated findings of adults with ventrally attached egg-shaped pupae of aquatic mites (Hydracarina) suggest that these are host-specific ones of Lethocerus. Thus, the occurrence of protelean parasites on giant water bugs in the Gangetic plains is a previously unknown unique finding since apparently mites have been noticed only from other Nepomorpha families. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T06:27:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-12c6ba4eb6e54ee4b7e3d6f0a52f8165 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0974-7893 0974-7907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T06:27:39Z |
| publishDate | 2013-06-01 |
| publisher | Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Threatened Taxa |
| spelling | doaj.art-12c6ba4eb6e54ee4b7e3d6f0a52f81652022-12-22T01:59:09ZengWildlife Information Liaison Development SocietyJournal of Threatened Taxa0974-78930974-79072013-06-015104474448210.11609/JoTT.o3497.4474-82877Observations on the life history of giant water bugs <i>Lethocerus</i> Mayr, 1853 (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Belostomatidae) in the Gangetic plains of India and NepalH. NesemannG. SharmaTwo species of giant water bugs Lethocerus were found in the Gangetic plains of northern India and Nepal. Lethocerus indicus is widespread, whereas a single record of Lethocerus patruelis confirms the eastern distribution range in Bihar. Four instars of aquatic nymphs occur exclusively in temporary shallow stagnant water bodies which harbor rich amphibian populations but lack permanent fish fauna. From mid-August to the first week of November adults fly. Later they live submerged in aquatic habitats of large rivers and permanent stagnant water bodies which harbor diverse fish fauna. Repeated findings of adults with ventrally attached egg-shaped pupae of aquatic mites (Hydracarina) suggest that these are host-specific ones of Lethocerus. Thus, the occurrence of protelean parasites on giant water bugs in the Gangetic plains is a previously unknown unique finding since apparently mites have been noticed only from other Nepomorpha families.http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/891 |
| spellingShingle | H. Nesemann G. Sharma Observations on the life history of giant water bugs <i>Lethocerus</i> Mayr, 1853 (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Belostomatidae) in the Gangetic plains of India and Nepal Journal of Threatened Taxa |
| title | Observations on the life history of giant water bugs <i>Lethocerus</i> Mayr, 1853 (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Belostomatidae) in the Gangetic plains of India and Nepal |
| title_full | Observations on the life history of giant water bugs <i>Lethocerus</i> Mayr, 1853 (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Belostomatidae) in the Gangetic plains of India and Nepal |
| title_fullStr | Observations on the life history of giant water bugs <i>Lethocerus</i> Mayr, 1853 (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Belostomatidae) in the Gangetic plains of India and Nepal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Observations on the life history of giant water bugs <i>Lethocerus</i> Mayr, 1853 (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Belostomatidae) in the Gangetic plains of India and Nepal |
| title_short | Observations on the life history of giant water bugs <i>Lethocerus</i> Mayr, 1853 (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Belostomatidae) in the Gangetic plains of India and Nepal |
| title_sort | observations on the life history of giant water bugs i lethocerus i mayr 1853 heteroptera nepomorpha belostomatidae in the gangetic plains of india and nepal |
| url | http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/891 |
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