ARS | Publication request: Additional Records of the Little-Known Corixidea major (Heteroptera: Schizopteridae) from Arkansas and Oklahoma

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: July 15, 2010
Publication Date: September 10, 2010
Citation: Henry, T.J., Hevel, G.F., Chordas, S. 2010. Additional Records of the Little-Known Corixidea major (Heteroptera: Schizopteridae) from Arkansas and Oklahoma. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 112(3):475-477.

Interpretive Summary: The group of insects called the true bugs contains many species that are serious agricultural pests causing millions of dollars in damage every year to crops, as well as predators that help control pests. Litter-loving bugs are among the smallest of the true bugs, with some measuring 1.0 mm or less. These tiny insects are considered rare and little is known of their habits. They are usually found in the litter layer of rich forests and other undisturbed areas and are thought to be predatory on coexisting insects and other arthropods. The species of litter-loving bug treated in this paper was previously known only from three localities in Florida, Virginia, and Tennessee. We report two additional records, one from Arkansas and one from Oklahoma, extending the distribution by more than 550 miles (885 kilometers) to the west. This paper provides important diagnostic and distributional information on a very rare North American insect, and will be of interest to state, Federal, and university scientists involved in studying rare or endangered insects.

Technical Abstract: Corixidea major is reported for the first time from Arkansas and Oklahoma. Although described eighty years ago, this minute insect, measuring less than 1.5 mm, has remained one of the rarest North American heteropterans. Previously known only from the Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia, our records extend the range of C. major just over 885 km (550 mi) to the west of the type locality. A brief diagnosis and a summary of the distribution and habits are provided.