AQUATIC HEMIPTERA OF POCHARAM LAKE, ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

Systematic Account Family: Nepidae Subfamily: Ranantrinae 1. Ranatra elongata (Fabricius) 1790. Ranatra elongata Fabricius, Skirf. Nat.Selesk., 1: 228 1994. Ranatra elongata Fabricius: Thirumalai, Rec. zool. Surv. India, Occ. Pap. No. 165: 22 Material examined: 3 exs., 4.xi.2003, Wadalaparthy, S.S. Kamble & Party; 4 exs., 22.xii.2004, Rajpet, Deepa & Party; 4 exs., 12.iv.2005, Pocharam village, SVAC Sekhar & Party. Diagnostic characters: This species can be identified by the structure of the anterior femur, which is provided with a triangular tooth beyond the middle of its length, and the metasternal process, which is subtriangular. Remarks: It feeds on tadpoles, nymphs of mayflies and other aquatic hemipterans. During dry seasons it is known to migrate in search of suitable areas. Distribution: India: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Pondicherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. Elsewhere: Australia, Nepal, Sri Lanka.