SEVEN FAMILIES OF AQUATIC AND SEMIAQUATIC HEMIPTERA IN LOUISIANA 1 Gene J. Gonsoulin 2 Part II. Family Naucoridae Fallen, 1814. "Creeping Water Bugs". Although the members of this family are widely distributed throughout North America, comparatively little is known of them. They are rather flattened, oval shaped bugs (Fig. 1). Coloration is usually dull brown to greenish, with various darker spots on the pronotum. The head is broad and flattened and smoothly continu-ous with its two large, often red tinted eyes. The front legs are raptorial and the middle and hind legs somewhat modified for swimming. Antennae are concealed in clefts beneath the eyes, and the beak is short and acute. Hemelytra are coarse and lack a membranous portion at the tip. In Louisiana, the family is represented by one genus, Pelocoris, and two species. These bugs seem to prefer quiet or slow moving bodies of fresh water with abundant aquatic vegetation. Although truly aquatic, naucorids rarely venture beyond the protection served by submergent vegetation. They prefer to move through the vegetation in a half-swimming, half-creeping fashion seizing any victim they chance to come upon. They are fiercely preda-ceous and may inflict a painful bite when handled carelessly. Respiration in the nymphs is usually through the cuticle. The adults absorb oxygen through the spiracles in contact with an air bubble which adheres to a fine pubescence occurring on the venter. Air in both the subelytral air space and the ventral air bubble is replenished by protrusion of the tip of the abdomen through the surface film. Oxygen may also diffuse directly into the bubble from the water. 'Accepted for publication: May 8, 1972. 2 Department of Biology & Conservation, Volunteer State Community College, Nashville Pike, Gallatin.TN 37066. Em. News, 84:83-88, 1973 83
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