2021/12/17 by Matthew R. Pintar, Jeffrey L. Kline, Joel C. Trexler · 2 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Aquatic insect #Biology #Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics #Ecology #Gerridae #Habitat #Hemiptera #Hemiptera Insect Studies #Heteroptera #Insects and Parasite Interactions #Marsh #Wetland
paper · pdf · doi:10.1653/024.104.0408
openalex publication_date 2021/12/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
The Everglades is a large subtropical wetland that has been modified heavily by humans and now is undergoing restoration. Aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera (Hemiptera) in the infraorders Gerromorpha and Nepomorpha were collected in the Florida Everglades using standardized 1-m2 throw-traps. Sampling efforts were conducted in marshes distributed from southern Everglades National Park, north throughout the Water Conservation Areas to Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. In total, 12,833 individuals were identified representing 17 species in 13 genera and 8 families (Belostomatidae, Corixidae, Gerridae, Mesoveliidae, Naucoridae, Nepidae, Veliidae). The naucorid Pelocoris femoratus (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Naucoridae) was by far the most abundant species, whereas 2 other species, Belostoma lutarium (Stål) (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) and Neogerris hesione Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Gerridae), were widespread but less abundant. Two species, Abedus immaculatus (Say) (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) and Pelocoris balius La Rivers (Hemiptera: Naucoridae) had localized distributions, whereas all other species were collected rarely. We discuss the abundance and distribution of species recorded, along with unique traits and the biology of the aquatic Heteroptera in the Everglades and implications for the restoration of the Everglades.