Massive outbreak of Metopoplax ditomoides (Hemiptera, Oxycarenidae) in Doñana National Park (Huelva, Andalucía, Spain)

2026/06/02 by Manuel Baena, J. Manuel Vidal‐Cordero · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Entomological Studies and Ecology #Hemiptera Insect Studies #Insects and Parasite Interactions

paper · doi:10.5281/zenodo.20369415

openalex created_date 2026/06/02 · openalex publication_date 2026/06/02 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/01

Abstract

The first massive outbreak of Metopoplax ditomoides in a natural habitat, observed in March 2025 in Doñana National Park (Spain), was reported. Thousands of individuals aggregated on vehicles and nearby structures, a phenomenon previously known only from winter aggregations in urban or agricultural settings. The event likely resulted from unusual climatic conditions, possibly combined with potential visual or chemical cues. Future monitoring is needed to determine whether this was an exceptional episode or part of a recurrent trend under climate change.

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• 🔬 We have just published the first description of a massive outbreak of Metopoplax ditomoides in a natural habitat. Thousands of individuals covered vehicles and infrastructure in Doñana, a behaviour [bsky, 2 points, 0 comments]

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