Aquatic Hemiptera (Heteroptera) of Kazakhstan, with notes on life history, ecology and distribution

Abstract

Based on extensive field collections (2000-2014) in Kazakhstan and a review of the material in the National Institute of Zoology of Kazakhstan, we identified 68 species of aquatic Hemiptera from 11 families. Most species have broad zoogeographic distribution, dominated by West Eurasian fauna (18 species) and West Palearctic fauna (10 species). Details of habitats, feeding types, and life history are included for the described species.

You are what you eat—ecological niche and microhabitat influence venom activity and composition in aquatic bugs

“…Notonecta glauca is an active predator, searching for prey on the water surface or in the water column, and it is, therefore, exposed to predators [ 16 , 18 , 34 , 35 ]. By contrast, N. cinerea usually hides in vegetation to wait for prey, but this low mobility may increase its susceptibility to predation [ 29 , 32 ]. Both species, therefore, rely on their potent venom to deter predators.…”

“…Microhabitat preferences are also likely to affect feeding habits because the abundance and availability of food vary within a water body. Notonecta glauca , I. cimicoides and N. cinerea are generalist predators that feed on insects and crustaceans [ 16 – 19 , 21 – 23 , 29 , 30 ], and also on vertebrates such as fish and tadpoles in the case of N. glauca and I. cimicoides [ 24 – 28 ]. We identified a protein in N. glauca and I. cimicoides PMG venom that is homologous to venom 5′ nucleotidase 1 from the belastomatid L. distinctifemur [ 13 ].…”

“…Unlike most water bugs, C. punctata reportedly feeds on detritus, algae, small insects and crustaceans [29][30][31]. In addition to this diet, its mouthpart morphology has also puzzled scientists because it differs considerably from the elongated rostrum typical of true bugs (electronic supplementary material, figure S3).…”

“…Furthermore, foraging strategies differ among the predatory species. Nepa cinerea is a slow-moving ambush predator that hides in vegetation close to the water surface and quickly grabs approaching prey using its highly specialized predatory forelegs [ 3 , 20 , 29 , 32 ]. By contrast, N. glauca and I. cimicoides are good swimmers and actively hunt their prey [ 16 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…Ilyocoris cimicoides, N. glauca and N. cinerea are strict predators of insects [16][17][18][19][20], crustaceans [16,[21][22][23], tadpoles [24,25] and fish [26][27][28], but the dietary habits of C. punctata are not yet fully understood. Different studies have reported inconsistent feeding styles for C. punctata, ranging from strict zoophagy [29] to saprophagy [30] and omnivorous behaviour, including the unusual ability to ingest solid food [31]. Furthermore, foraging strategies differ among the predatory species.…”