INVENTORY OF AQUATIC TRUE BUGS (INSECTA HETEROPTERA NEPOMORPHA, GERROMORPHA, LEPTOPODOMORPHA) OF THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, NORTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE, USA

Paul P. Tinerella

Research output: Book/Report/Conference proceedingTechnical report

Abstract

Research was conducted to document water bug (Insecta: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha, Gerromorpha, Leptopodomorpha) diversity of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Prior to this research, no water bug survey existed for GSMNP, with 13 total species historically recorded from the Park. One collecting trip of seven days (2-8 August 2008) was conducted in GSMNP, wherein 42 localities (lentic and lotic habitats) were sampled throughout the Park. Standard triangular dipnets were used for sampling, along with additional specialized methods for semiaquatic taxa. These taxa included toad bugs, riffle bugs, and shore bugs, where aspirators and aerial nets were utilized. The survey effort resulted in collection of 1,049 specimens, comprising 11 families, 23 genera, and 42 species of aquatic and semiaquatic true bugs. Of this total, 29 species are newly recorded for the GSMNP, with which 14 species are newly recorded for Tennessee and two species newly recorded for North Carolina. One possibly undescribed species (Corixidae) was also collected. Literature records indicate approximately 60 species of water bugs possible for Tennessee and North Carolina. As such, further survey efforts and specialized collecting will likely produce additional species records for GSMNP, particularly with the water boatmen (Corixidae), backswimmers (Notonectidae), and water striders (Gerridae).
Original languageEnglish (US)
PublisherIllinois Natural History Survey
StatePublished - Aug 14 2009

Publication series

NameINHS Technical Report 2009 (22)
No.22

Keywords

  • INHS

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