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Home , Gerrinae, Gerris marginatus, Hemiptera, Limnoporus canaliculatus, Metrobates, Metrobates hesperius

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Volume 34 Article 21

1980 Water Striders (: ) of Arkansas Paul D. Kittle University of North Alabama

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Recommended Citation Kittle, Paul D. (1980) "Water Striders (Hemiptera: Gerridae) of Arkansas," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 34 , Article 21. Available at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol34/iss1/21

This article is available for use under the Creative Commons license: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). Users are able to read, download, copy, print, distribute, search, link to the full texts of these articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 34 [1980], Art. 21 THE WATER STRIDERS (HEMIPTERA: GERRIDAE) OF ARKANSAS !

PAUL D. KITTLE Department of Biology University of North Alabama Florence, Alabama 35630

ABSTRACT The , distribution, and ecology of the water striders of Arkansas are discussed based on personal collections, museum specimens, and literature records. A total of 15 representing six genera is presently known from the state. One additional species is included as probably occurring in Arkansas.

INTRODUCTION Middle femur distinctlyshorter than hind femur; antennal segment 2 long, its length at least five Most studies on the Gerridae of Arkansas have been limited to times its diameter scattered locality records which are cited under the appropriate species. Kittle(1974, 1977a) reported on the biology of those species Fabricius occurring inWashington County, and Kittle (1977b) included numer- ous records of Trepobates spp. from Arkansas. The purpose of the Four species of this genus are known to occur inArkansas. Gerris present paper is to contribute additional knowledge of the taxonomy, inspern ius is included in the following key as a species which will ecology, and distribution of this neglected family of in Ar- probably be found inArkansas in the future. kansas. Key to the Species of Gerris inArkansas METHODS AND MATERIALS 1. First genital segment not divided ventrally (males) 2 First genital segment divided into twohalves which Information on the Gerridae of Arkansas was gathered primarily meet along ventral midline (females) 6 through personal collections, especially innorthwest Arkansas, and 2(li. Sixthabdominal ventrite singly emarginate at apex also frommuseum specimens and the literature. Approximately 5800 and withabroad median furrow (/'. nebularis specimens were collected from 1972 through 1977, and 720 speci- Sixthabdominal ventrite doublyemarginate at apex mens were examined from the followinginstitutions and individuals: and without a broad median furrow 3 Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, Harold C. 3(2). Length 12 mm or more; first genital segment witha Chapman, Iowa State University, John T. Polhemus, Memphis State strong keel ventrally G. remigis University, Purdue University, United States National Museum, Uni- Length 11 mm orless; first genital segment with versity ofArkansas at Fayetteville, University of Kansas, and Univer- keel moderately or weaklyproduced 4 sity of Southwestern Louisiana. Records were gathered for 58 of the 4(3). Anterior lateral margin ofpronotum with a pale 75 counties inArkansas. stripe immediately posterior to eye G. argenticollis Anterior lateral margin ofpronotum without a pale stripe immediately posterior to eye 5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 5(4). Venter of first genital segment strongly impressed on each side of median ridge, a distinct keel Key to the Genera ofGerridae of Arkansas present G. marginatus Venter of first genital segment not strongly 1. Inner margins ofeyes sinuate or concave behind the impressed on each side ofmedian ridge, a distinct middle; body comparatively longand narrow 2 keel absent G. insperatus Inner margins ofeyes convexly rounded; body 6(1). Length 14 mm or more 7 comparatively short and broad 4 Length 12 mm or less 8 2(1). Basal segment of fore tarsus about half as long as 7(6). Connexival spines long, reaching to or slightly second; dorsal surface ofhead and pronotum beyond apex of abdomen G.nebularis glabrous, shiny Connexival spines short, reaching onlyto apex of Basal segment of fore tarsus subequal inlength to first genital segment ventrally G. remigis second; dorsal surface ofhead and pronotum 8(6). Anterior lateral margin of pronotum withapale sericeous, dull 3 stripe immediately posterior to eye G. argenticollis 3(2). Antennal segment 1shorter than segments 2and 3 Anterior lateral margin of pronotum withouta pale together stripe immediately posterior to eye; females so Antennal segment 1equal to orlonger than similar they cannot be reliablyseparated with segments 2and 3 together Gerris a key G.insperatus and G. marginatus 4(1). Antennal segment 1long, longer than (male) or subequal to (female) 2, 3, and 4 united Gerris argenticollis Parshley Antennal segment 1much shorter than 2, 3, and 4 united 5 This species was collected from a variety of habitats including 5(4). Middle femur distinctlylonger than hind femur; ponds, small lakes, borrow pits, and quiet pools of streams, but was antennal segment 2 very short, itslength less than most abundant on woodland pools. Collection dates ranged from 12 three times its diameter March to 12 June. G. argenticollis often was associated with G

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Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 1980 68 Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 34 [1980], Art. 21 Paul D.Kittle

marginatus and . All specimens were were made from Aprilthrough October. G. remigis sometimes was ob- macropterous. The species was first recorded from the state by Kittle served inassociation withG. marginatus and G.nebularis, but often (1977a), but is apparently widespread. Records exist for these coun- occurred alone. Of the 751 adults examined, 676 (90%) were ties: Arkansas, Ashley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Columbia, Crawford, apterous and 75 (10%) were macropterous. Dallas, Franklin, Lonoke, Montgomery, Newton, Polk, Searcy, The species is abundant and widespread in the Interior Highlands Stone, Union, and Washington. G. argenticollis may be locally com- but is apparently rare or absent from most of the GulfCoastal Plain. mon but is a rare species in general. Eighty-five specimens were The disjunct Arkansas Co. record may in fact be in error. Itis based examined. on a specimen in the University ofArkansas at Payetteville collection which bears a label "black light trap", but the specimen is apterous. Gerris insperatus Drake and Hottes G. remigis was recorded from these counties: Arkansas, Baxter, Benton, Conway, Crawford, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Indepen- This gerrid has not been recorded from Arkansas but is included dence, Izard, Johnson, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Marion, Mont- here because of the probability that it eventually willbe collected in gomery, Newton, Polk, Pope, Randolph, Scott, Searcy, Stone, and the state. Ihave specimens inmy collection from Cass Co., Texas, Washington. approximately 34 km west of the Arkansas state line. The species should be looked forinspring or early summer.

Gerris marginatus Say Limnoporus Stal

This water stricter was euryecious and was collected from the fol- Limnoporus canaliculatus (Say) lowing habitats: ponds, lakes, woodland pools, streams, springs, temporary pools, roadside ditches, and borrow pits. It occurred on This species was formerly placed in the genus Gerris, subgenus almost every body of water visited during the spring. Most habitats Limnoporus, but Andersen (1975) elevated the subgenus Limnoporus from which specimens were taken were permanent, but many were to generic status. Cather and Harp (1975) reported L. dissortis (as ephemeral. One specimen was collected at a blacklight inUnion Co. Gerris) fromnortheast Arkansas, but this record probably applies to G. marginatus was collected from 17 February to 29 October, but the L canaliculatus. L. canaliculatus was euryecious and was collected majority ofrecords were from April,May, and June. Habitats which from the followinghabitats: lakes, ponds, woodland pools, borrow supported large populations of this species in the spring were often pits, temporary pools, and pools of small, medium, and large uninhabited inlate summer and autumn. The species was observed streams. Seventeen specimens were collected at a blacklight inMiller in association with G. argenticollis, G. remigis, Limnoporus Co. The species was collected from 15 January to 25 November and canaliculatus, and but was often found alone. was often associated with G. marginatus and G. argenticollis. One Of the 817 adults examined, 802 (98%) were macropterous and 15 hundred seventy-two (79%) of the 217 specimens examined were (2%) were brachypterous. macropterous and 45 (21%) were apterous. Kuitert (1942) recorded G. marginatus from Arkansas, and L. canaliculatus was recorded from Little Rock by Drake and McGary and Harp (1972) and Harp and Hubbard (1972) reported this Harris (1928), from Arkansas byKuitert (1942), and from Cleburne species from Cleburne Co. and Saline Co., respectively. It is abun- Co. by McGary and Harp (1972). This water strider is widespread in dant in spring and early summer, is widespread in the state, and has Arkansas and was recorded from the following counties: Arkansas, been recorded from the followingcounties: Arkansas, Ashley, Bax- Ashley, Benton, Clark, Cleburne, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, ter, Benton, Clark, Cleburne, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Greene, Hempstead, Jackson, Madi- Cross, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Fulton, Greene, Hempstead, son, Miller, Mississippi, Montgomery, Nevada, Newton, Pope, Hot Spring, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Missis- Pulaski, Randolph, Scott, Sevier, Union, Washington, and Wood- sippi, Montgomery, Newton, Pike, Polk, Pope, Randolph, Saline, ruff. It was locallycommon, especially onlentic habitats. Scott, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Union, Washington, and Woodruff. Metrobates Uhler Gerris nebularis Drake and Hottes Key to the Species of Metrobates inArkansas species mainly inhabited large, quiet pools of medium and ;streams but sometimes was found on small streams. Itwas re- 1. First genital segment not divided ventrally(males) 2 ted to lotic habitats. Collection dates ranged from 1 Aprilto 15 First genital segment divided into twohalves which >ber. G.nebularis often was associated with G. remigis. Of the meet along ventral midline (females) 3 specimens examined, 141 (94%) were brachypterous and nine 2(1). With a single spur on the midline of the ) were macropterous. This water strider was reported from Ar- mesosternum M.alacris as byDrake and Harris (1934). G. nebularis is undoubtedly more Without a mesosternal spur M. hesperius spread in Arkansas than is indicated by the following county 3(1). Lightpronotal marking abroad stripe M.alacris rds: Baxter, Benton, Carroll, Clark, Columbia, Fulton, Hemp- Lightpronotal marking more orless oval or i,Lonoke, Pike, Randolph, Sharp, and Washington. The species circular M. hesperius be locally common but is more difficult to collect than most ids because of its wariness and microhabitat (middles of pools of Metrobates alacris Drake :r streams). M. alacris was collected onlyfrom streams inJuly and September. Gerris remigis Say Kittle (1977c) first recorded this species from Arkansas. Although it Iiis is known only from twolocalities inGreene and Hempstead counties, This gerrid usually was recorded from small permanent streams but M. alacris isprobably locally common onmany of the streams of the also was common on medium and large streams. It rarely was ob- Gulf Coastal Plain. Twenty-one apterous specimens were examined. served on ponds, roadside ditches, or woodland pools. G. remigis was collected from a stream in the twilight zone of Logan Springs Uhler Cave, Benton Co., and McDaniel and Smith (1976) reported the species from the twilightzone of Needles Cave, Izard Co. Itwas re- This water strider was collected only from larger streams and corded for each month of the , but the majority of collections usually was found either immediately above or below riffle areas.

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Collection dates ranged from 25 June to 21 October. This species was Logan, Montgomery, Newton, Pike, Polk, Pope, Randolph, Saline, gregarious but was not closely associated with any other gerrid. All Scott, Sevier, Union, and Washington. 1 specimens were apterous. M. hesperius was reported from Arkansas by Anderson (1932). It was found to be widely distributed in the Rheumatobates tenuipes Meinert Interior Highlands and was recorded from the following counties: Baxter, Benton, Carroll,Pulton, Independence, Lawrence, Madison, This water strider usually was collected from pools of large Marion, Montgomery, Newton, Pike, Polk, Randolph, Saline, Scott, streams, but one record was from apond and one from aborrow pit. Stone, and Washington. M. hesperius was locally common, and 409 Collection dates ranged from 20 May to 15 October. R. tenuipes was specimens were examined. associated with several species of Rheumatobates and Trepobates. Of the 223 specimens examined, only two (1%) were macropterous, Neogerris Matsumura and 221(99%) were apterous. This gerrid was firstrecorded from Ar- kansas by Kittle (1977a). Itis widely distributed and is occasionally (Kirkaldy) locally common. Records were gathered for the following counties: Crawford, Fulton, Greene, Hempstead, Lawrence, Poinsett, Ran- This species was formerly placed inthe genus , butbe- dolph, Sebastian, Union, and Washington. longs inNeogerris according to the treatment of Andersen (1975). N. hesione usually was collected from permanent ponds and lakes, but Rheumatobates trulligerBergroth macropterous specimens were occasionally taken from pools of streams. Adults were collected from 22 May to 3 November. N. This species was collected only from pools of streams from 21 hesione was highly gregarious and was often associated with Trepo- August to 23 September. Itwas associated with several species of bates subnitidus. Of the 182 adults examined, 163 (90%) were apter- Rheumatobates and Trepobates. Of the 24 specimens examined, 23 ous and 19 (10%) were macropterous. This gerrid was recorded from were apterous and one was macropterous. Literature records for A' Arkansas by Drake and Harris (1934). Itwas locally common at local- trulligerin Arkansas include Arkansas (Schroeder, 1931), Polk Co. ities scattered throughout the state and was recorded from these (Hungerford, 1954), and Craighead Co. (Cather and Harp, 1975). The counties: Craighead, Crawford, Faulkner, Fulton, Greene, Missis- species is known only from four localities in Craighead, Montgom- sippi, Montgomery, Randolph, Scott, Sharp, Union, and Washington. ery, Polk, and Washington counties and is apparently a rare species inArkansas. Rheumatobates Bergroth Trepobates Uhler Key to the Species ofRheumatobates inArkansas Key to the Species of Trepobates inArkansas 1. Antennae geniculate, withspines (males) 2 Antennae not geniculate, without spines, cannot be 1. First genitalsegment not divided ventrally (males) 2 adequately keyed at present females First genitalsegment divided into twohalves which 2(1). Hindfemur straight R. tenuipes meet along ventral tnidline (females) 4 Hindfemur curved, often thickened 3 2(1). Antennal segment 3with abasal row of longhairs, 3(2). Hindfemur withlonghairs on the basal third of the these hairs often appressed to segment T. knighli innermargin R. palosi Antennal segment 3without longhairs 3 Hind femur without longhairs on the basal thirdof 3(2). Usually witha lightyellow mesopleural stripe the inner margin 4 posterior to black postocular stripe of pronotum 4(3). Middle femur witharow oflongstraight hairs on whichis continuous between anterior and innermargin R. hungerfordi posterior margins T.pictus Middle femur hairless oninner margin except fora Without amesopleural stripe as described few hairs near apex R. trulliger above T.subnitidus 4(2). Mesonotum prolonged posteriorly into a median, Rheumatobates hungerfordi Wiley horn-like projection T.pictus Mesonotum not prolonged posteriorly 5 This water strider was collected only from streams on 11 and 29 5(4). With a lightmesopleural spot posterior toblack July. Itwas associated with R. palosi, R. tenuipes, and Trepobates postocular stripe of pronotum; antennal segment subnitidus. R. hungerfordi was recorded fromPolk Co. based on two 2distinctly shorter than 3 T. knighti female specimens (Hungerford, 1954). Icollected the species from Without a lightmesopleural spot as described twolocalities inHempstead and Sebastian counties. All13 specimens above; antennal segment 2 onlyslightlyshorter examined were apterous. than or subequal to 3 T. subnitidus Rheumatobates palosi Blatchley Trepobates knightiDrake and Harris

Blatchley (1926) described this water strider as a variety of R. rileyi; This gerrid inhabited pools of large, medium, and small streams however, Bobb (1974) elevated itto specific rank, and the latter clas- and is apparently restricted to lotic habitats. One specimen was col- sification is followed here. The species was collected from a variety lected at a blacklight inMontgomery Co. Adult collection records in of habitats including pools of large and small streams, lakes, ponds, Arkansas ranged from 16 June to 25 October. T. knighti was com- and borrow pits. Collection dates extended from 20 May to 15 Octo- monly collected inclose association with T.subnitidus, Rheumato- ber. A' palosi was associated withseveral species ofRheumatobates bates palosi, and/?, tenuipes. Of the 1257 specimens examined, 1243 and Trepobates. Of the 513 specimens examined, 502 (98%) were (99%) were apterous and only14 (1%) were macropterous. apterous and 11 (2%) were macropterous. R. palosi was reported T. knighti was recorded from Arkansas by Drake and Harris from Carroll and Polk counties by Hungerford (1954) and from Ar- (1932), Drake and Hottes (1952), and Drake and Chapman (1953) kansas by Schroeder (1931). Itis the most widespread and abundant This gerrid is common on most streams inthe Interior Highlands, and Rheumatobates in Arkansas and was recorded from the following almost all collections were from this area. Specimens were examined counties: Ashley, Calhoun, Carroll, Clay, Cleveland, Columbia, from the following counties: Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Cleburne. Craighead, Crawford, Fulton, Hempstead, Johnson, Lawrence, Crawford, Fulton, Hot Spring, Independence, Johnson, Lawrence.

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Logan, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Newton, Pike, Polk, Ran- BLATCHLEY, W. S. 1926. or true bugs of eastern dolph, Saline, Scott, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, andWashington. North America withspecial reference to the faunas of Indiana and Florida. Nature Publ. Co.,Indianapolis, 1116 pp. (Herrich-Schaef fer) BOBB, M.L. 1974. The insects of Virginia: no. 7. The aquatic and This species was collected from pools ofsmall, spring-fed streams semi-aquatic Hemiptera of Virginia. Va. Polytech. Inst. and in Stone and Washington counties and from an unknown habitat in State Univ.Res. Div.Bull. 87:1-195. Cross Co. from 1July to 12 September. T.pictus was associated with /. knighti and Rheumatobates palosi at the Washington Co. site. All CATHER,M.R. and G.L.HARP. 1975. The aquatic macroinverte- 43 specimens examined were apterous. This gerrid was common at brate fauna of an Ozark and a deltaic stream. Proc. Ark.Acad. the single locality inWashington Co., but its abundance at the other Sci. 29:30-35. two sites could notbe determined. DRAKE,C.J. and H.C. CHAPMAN.1953. Anew species of Trepo- Trepobates subnitidus Esaki bates Uhler from Florida (Hemiptera: Gerridae). Fla. Entomol. 36:109-112. Females of this species may have the connexiva produced into short or longconnexival spines or notproduced into spines. Ingener- DRAKE,C. J. and H.M. HARRIS. 1928. Concerning some North al, spineless females predominate in Gulf Coastal Plain populations American water-striders with descriptions of three new species. and long-spined females predominate inInterior Highlands popula- OhioJ. Sci. 28:269-276. tions, with intermediate and mixed populations occurring in transi- tional areas. The long-spined populations were referred to as '/'. sp. DRAKE,C. J. and H.M. HARRIS. 1932. Asurvey of the species of by Kittle (1974, 1977a) because of their uncertain taxonomic status, Trepobates Uhler (Hemiptera, Gerridae). Bull. Brooklyn but it was subsequently demonstrated (Kittle, 1977b) that long-spined Entomol. Soc. 27:113-123. populations were a morphological variant of '/'. subnitidus. /'. subnitidus was collected from lakes, ponds, borrow pits, and DRAKE,C. J. and H. M.HARRIS. 1934. The of the West- pools of large, medium, and small streams and was much more com- ern Hemisphere (Hemiptera). Ann. Carnegie Mus. 23:179-241. mon on lentic than lotic habitats. Collection dates ranged from 20 1November. The species was commonly collected inassocia- DRAKE,C. J. and F. C. HOTTES. 1952. Genus Trepobates Herrich- with T. knighti, , Neogerris hesione, and sev- Schaeffer (Hemiptera; Gerridae). Great Basin Nat. 12:35-38. species of Rheumatobates. Of the 1634 adults examined, 1502 i)were apterous and 132 (8%) were macropterous. HARP, G.L.and R.D.HUBBARD. 1972. Limnology of fourbauxite KtoThe record of T. inermis from Co. (Harp and Hubbard, open-pit lakes. Proc. Ark.Acad. Sci. 26:47-51. Saline 1972) applies to T.subnitidus. T. subnitidus is widespread inArkan- sas and is locallyabundant. Records were gathered for these counties: HUNGERFORD, H. B. 1954. The genus Rheumatobates Bergroth Ashley, Benton, Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Cleveland, Craig- (Hemiptera-Gerridae). Univ.Kans. Sci. Bull.36:529-588. head, Crawford, Desha, Faulkner, Fulton, Greene, Hempstead, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, LittleRiver,Logan, Madison, Marion, KITTLE,P. D. 1974. The water striders (Hemiptera: Gerridae) of Mississippi, Montgomery, Pike,Polk, Pope, Randolph, Saline, Scott, Washington County, Arkansas. Unpubl. M. S. thesis, Univ. Ar- Sebastian, Sevier, Sharp, Union, and Washington. kansas, Fayetteville, 100 pp.

KITTLE,P. D. 1977a. The biology of water striders (Hemiptera: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Gerridae) innorthwest Arkansas. Am. Midi.Nat. 97:400-410.

Ithank the followingindividuals and institutions for KITTLE,P. D. 1977b. A revision of the genus Trepobates Uhler providing specimens: Harley P. Brown, Harold C. (Hemiptera: Gerridae). Unpubl. Ph. D. dissertation, Univ. Chapman, Rob Chenowith, Raymond D. C miser, Arkansas, Fayetteville, 255 pp. George L. Harp, Iowa State University, Memphis State University, John T. Polhemus, Purdue University, KITTLE,P. D. 1977c. Notes on the distribution and morphology of E. Phil Rouse, United States National Museum, Uni- the water strider Metrobates alacris Drake (Hemiptera: versity of Kansas, and University of Southwestern Gerridae). Entomol. News 88:67-68. Louisiana. KUITERT,L.C. 1942. Gerrinae inUniversity ofKansas collections. Univ.Kans. Sci. Bull. 28:113-143.

McDANIEL,V.R. and K.L.SMITH. 1976. Cave fauna of Arkansas: selected invertebrate taxa. Proc. Ark.Acad. Sci. 30:57-60. LITERATURE CITED McGARY,J. L.and G.L. HARP. 1972. The benthic macroinverte- ANDERSEN, N.M. 1975. The Limnogonus and Neogerris of the Old brate community of the Greer's Ferry Reservoir cold tailwater. World with character analysis and a reclassification of the Little Red River, Arkansas. Proc. 26th Annu. Conf. S. E. Assoc. Gerrinae (Hemiptera: Gerridae). Entomol. Scand. Suppl. Game and Fish Corara. 26:490-500. 7:1-%. SCHROEDER, H.O. 1931. The genus Rheumatobates and notes on L. D. 1932. A monograph of the genus Metrobates the male genitalia of some Gerridae (Hemiptera, Gerridae). ¦>ERSON,(Hemiptera, Gerridae). Univ.Kans. Sci. Bull.20:297-311. Univ.Kans.Sci. Bull. 20:63-99.

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