Submitted to: Banisteria
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/10/2006
Publication Date: 10/26/2006
Citation: Hoffman, R.L., Roble, S.M., Henry, T.J. 2006. The occurrence in Florida and Virginia of Corixidea major, an exceptionally rare North American bug (Heteroptera: Schizopteridae). Banisteria. 26:18-19. (#187120: October 26, 2006) Interpretive Summary: The groups of insects call the True bugs contain many species that are serious agricultural pests causing millions of dollars in damage every year to crops, as well as beneficial predators that help control pests. Litter-loving bugs are among the smallest of the true bugs, measuring 1.5 mm or less, 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 previously was known only from one locality in Tennessee. We report two additional records from Virginia and one from central Florida, extending the distribution by more than 1,000 kilometers to the east and southeast. 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 was recently collected in eastern Virginia, and a museum specimen from central Florida has been discovered. Although described eighty years ago, this minute insect (length under 1.5 mm) has remained one of the rarest North American heteropterans, previously known only from the unique male holotype found at Clarksville, Tennessee. Our records from Virginia and Florida extend the range of C. major just over 1000 km to the east and southeast of the type locality. A diagnosis and adult dorsal habitus drawing are provided to facilitate recognition of this poorly known species.