Zootaxa 3915 (3): 433438 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)

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Copyright 2015 Magnolia Press
Article ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3915.3.8
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B4CE0C3E-40FD-4DB3-9180-6BCBA8E5D34E

Pelocoris balius La Rivers (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Naucoridae) in Florida:

New Status of an Enigmatic Saucer Bug

ROBERT W. SITES
Enns Entomology Museum, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, U.S.A.
E-mail: sitesr@missouri.edu

Abstract

The saucer bug subspecies Pelocoris femoratus balius La Rivers was described from east-central Florida and differs from
the nominate subspecies by pronounced dark spotting on the fore femora, head, and pronotum. This subspecies is much
less commonly encountered than is P. f. femoratus (Palisot de Beauvois), which occurs throughout Florida. Although both
subspecies occur in the area, uncertainty about the taxonomic status of P. f. balius has persisted. I here elevate P. f. balius
to full species status based on collections of both taxa from the same bodies of water in multiple counties and additional
morphological differences to those given in the original description. A supplemental description, distribution map, and
illustrations to distinguish between the two species are provided.

Key words: Florida, Nepomorpha, Naucoridae, Pelocoris

Introduction

The genus Pelocoris is the sole member of the family Naucoridae in the eastern United States and Canada. Of the
three described species in the U.S., the most widespread is P. femoratus (Palisot de Beauvois), which has been
reported from Ontario south to Florida and west to Texas (Sites & Polhemus 1995). Reports of its occurrence as far
south as Uruguay (Polhemus and Polhemus 1988) almost certainly pertain to South American congeners. In the
U.S., P. femoratus is not known to occur further southwest than eastern Texas (Sites & Polhemus 1995) and it has
not been recorded with certainty from Central America (Roback and Nieser 1974). The other two congeners in the
U.S. are P. carolinensis Torre-Bueno, which occurs along the southeastern U.S. seaboard from North Carolina to
Texas, and P. biimpressus Montandon, which occurs in southern Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, and south to
Central America (Sites & Polhemus 1995).
Pelocoris f. femoratus occurs commonly throughout Florida and is known locally as the alligator flea. In east-
central Florida, populations of Pelocoris with densely spotted forelegs and pronotum were described as the
subspecies Pelocoris femoratus balius La Rivers (1970). I here elevate this subspecies to full species status.

Material and methods

Samples were collected using an aquatic net to sweep through submerged vegetation along shorelines of streams,
ponds, and swamps in Florida. Photographs of a recent collection site designated as L-1827 are available in a
Locality Image Database via a link from the internet site of the Enns Entomology Museum, University of Missouri.
Length and width are given as a mean and range and all measurements are in mm. Length of the body is measured
from the anterior margin of the head to the posterior margin of the abdomen, and width at the widest point, usually
the embolium and abdominal segment II.

Accepted by D. Rider: 1 Jan. 2015; published: 4 Feb. 2015 433

Institutional and private collections

DRDC Dana R. Denson Collection, Lake Buena Vista

FDEP Florida Department of Environmental Protection reference collection, Orlando
FSCA Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Gainesville
JHEC John H. Epler Collection, Crawfordville
RCID Reedy Creek Improvement District reference collection, Lake Buena Vista
RPUC R. P. Rutter Collection, Port Charlotte
UMAA University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
UMC University of Missouri, Columbia
USNM United States National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.

Systematics

Pelocoris balius La Rivers, new status

Figs. 1, 3, 5

Pelocoris femoratus balius La Rivers 1970: Biol. Soc. Nevada Occas. Paper 26: 13.

Supplemental description. In the original description, the only reference to a sex-related structure was the shape
of the female subgenital plate. Otherwise, the description did not include consideration of male or female genitalia
and other associated structures. Therefore, these and other features are described here.
Coloration. Body color of live specimens anteriorly brown with green mottling, scutellum and wings dark
brown to black (Fig. 1). Profemur with dark spotting generally over dorsal and ventral surfaces, dark markings
coalescent at posterodorsal margin. Head with dark spotting generally over entire dorsal surface, markings
coalescent at posterior margin on either side of midline, sometimes extending anteriorly as paired lines
approaching anterior margin. Pronotum with dark brown punctation scattered over most of surface; laterally
punctures not evident but dark markings present; dark spotting coalescent in various places, especially in anterior
half at midline; transverse band at posterior margin medium brown with irregular dark brown blotches. Scutellum
black. Hemelytra dark brown to black. Connexiva greenish brown anteriorly, dark brown posteriorly, giving
checkered appearance. Ventrally mostly brown.
Structural characteristics. Males (n=10): Length 8.969.76 (mean = 9.37); maximum width 5.205.60 (mean
= 5.36). Females (n=10): Length 9.2810.72 (mean = 9.82); maximum width 5.286.08 (mean = 5.68).
Male. Head anterior to eyes 0.12; eyes convergent anteriorly, inner margin strongly concave, length 1.28,
width 0.58, synthlipsis at anterior margin 1.16. Labrum width 0.84, length 0.40. Labium extending beyond labrum
0.50. Scutellum width 3.00, length 1.36. Hemelytron 6.40 mm in length (chord distance); embolium length 2.68,
maximum width 0.80; claval commisure 0.74. Connexiva with posterolateral corner II squared, IIIIV slightly
produced, VVII distinctly produced. Leg measurements as follows: foreleg, femur 2.48, tibia 1.96, tarsus 0.40;
middle leg, femur 2.12, tibia 1.64, tarsomeres 13 0.12, 0.32, 0.42; hind leg, femur 2.60, tibia 3.16, tarsomeres 13
0.18, 0.66, 0.62, pretarsal claw 0.30.
Genitalia and associated structures. Male: Posterior margin of mediosternite III, IV, VII straight; V deeply
incised medially; mediosternite VI small, nearly half width of posterior margin of V, broadly convex posteriorly;
genital operculum broadly convex posteriorly. Aedeagus broad basally, left side mostly straight, right side
gradually narrowing throughout and distinctly arcuate in apical to knoblike apex (Fig. 3). Parameres small, with
short hairs on distal half, slightly asymmetrical; right paramere with mesal margin somewhat straight, left paramere
lobe-like with mesal margin rounded (Fig. 3). Pygophore with margin between parameres strongly convex and
rounded (Fig. 3), with fine setae. Female: Mediosternites IIIVI with posterior margin slightly concave and
parallel. Posterior margin of laterosternite VI straight. Subgenital plate broad, lateral margins slightly concave,
posterior margin with pronounced medial concavity (Fig. 5), greatest width 1.56, length at midline 1.04. Valvulae 1
with stout, overlapping spines.

434 Zootaxa 3915 (3) 2015 Magnolia Press SITES

FIGURES 12. Habitus of (1) Pelocoris balius, (2) Pelocoris femoratus.

Discussion. In the original description, La Rivers distinguished P. f. balius (Fig. 1) from the nominate
subspecies (Fig. 2) by "the prominent brown tuberculation of the posterior surface of the procoxa; the conspicuous
brown mottling of profemur; and the dense dotting and spotting of the pronotum." In addition to those differences
are the following: Body coloration of live specimens predominantly brown rather than green (Figs. 1, 2);
posterolateral corners of abdominal segments less acuminate; embolium more elongate, lateral margin less convex
and pale coloration restricted to marginal stripe rather than the entire basal 3/4; female laterosternite VI posterior
margin straight rather than convex; female subgenital plate less narrowed posteriorly, lateral margins only slightly
concave (compare Figs. 5, 6); valvulae I with larger, stout spines similar to those of P. biimpressus Montandon (see
Sites and Polhemus 1995, Fig. 2a); parameres slightly asymmetrical with left paramere lobe-like with mesal
margin rounded rather than truncate, pygophore convex medially rather than concave (compare Figs. 3, 4); claws
shorter, 0.75x that of P. femoratus. Body size is very highly significantly greater when considering overall body
length (males: t=5.86, df=18, p<0.0001; females: t=3.70, df=18, p=0.002) and overall body width (males: t=9.98,
df=18, p<0.0001; females: t=5.79, df=18, p<0.0001).
In bodies of water at different localities in central and northern Florida, both taxa were collected together
including at Clay, Hardee, Leon, and Orange counties. Thus, because both taxa co-occur and the morphological
differences between them are even more profound than previously reported, I hereby elevate Pelocoris femoratus
balius to full species status. As such, Pelocoris balius joins P. femoratus and P. carolinensis to become the third
species of Pelocoris in Florida and the fourth in the U.S. Note that John Epler (2006) already considered P. balius
to be a valid species in his treatment of the aquatic and semi-aquatic Heteroptera of Florida.
Roback and Nieser (1974) considered P. binotulatus (Stl) of Colombia, South America to be similar to P.

PELOCORIS BALIUS IN FLORIDA Zootaxa 3915 (3) 2015 Magnolia Press 435
femoratus because of the same form of the aedeagus, but opted not to synonymize them because their P. binotulatus
were smaller and have a dark patch on the dorsal side of the fore femur, which they noted is similar to that of P.
balius. Further research is needed to determine the relationship between P. balius and P. binotulatus.

FIGURES 36. Genital capsule showing aedeagus and parameres of (3) Pelocoris balius, (4) Pelocoris femoratus. Terminal
abdominal sterna of female including subgenital plate of (5) Pelocoris balius, (6) Pelocoris femoratus.

Material examined. FLORIDA: Alachua Co.: Gainesville, University of Florida, retention pond at
Entomology and Nematology Building, 6 May 2004, emergent vegetation, R. W. Sites (1, UMC); Gainesville,
11-18-87, coll: Willis, (7, 1, FSCA); Gainesville, 22-III-1983, Scott W. Gross, Scott W. Gross collection 1990
(1, USNM); Gainesville, X-12, Oman 1938 (1, USNM); Aug. 29 70, Matta (1, USNM). Highlands Co.: Fish
Eating Creek, Venus, 20-I-1975, (1, 3, USNM); Fish Eating Creek, Venus, 20-I-1975, water hyacinth, leg. W.R.
Suter, (1, USNM); Fish Eating Creek, Venus, (4 mi. W), 9-I-1975, hyacinth seine, Judy and Walter Suter legs.
(1, 1, USNM); Fish Eating Creek, 9-I-1975, cypress duff hyacinth, W. Suter legs (1, USNM); Fish Eating
Creek, 9-I-1975, hyacinth seine, Judy and Walter Suter legs, (2, USNM). Marion Co.: Lake Bryant, 16 April
1938, S.H. Spurr (1, FSCA). Miami-Dade Co.: PineL and Tr. Camp Area, Everglades Natl. Park, III-27-1967,
coll: Lloyd R. Davis Jr. (1, FSCA). Orange Co.: Hwy 50 1.3 mi E of Christmas, 30 June 1994, coll. R. W. Sites,
roadside ditch/swamp (1, 4, 33 nymphs, UMC); same locality, 8 Feb. 1995, D. G. LeDoux (1, UMC); 1.9 km
W St Johns Riv. on hwy 50, 28 32.419' N, 80 57.756' W, elev. 4 m, 1 July 2014, R. W. Sites & D. Denson, among
Salvinia in ditch with cypress, L-1827 (17, 11, UMC). Palm Beach Co.: 2 mi. E. Belle Glade, 27 January 2005,
leg. R. Beiriger (1, UMC). Polk Co.: Lakeland, 23 X 1948, R. F. Hussey (1, USNM); Lakeland, 15 IV 1950, J.
E. Burgess (1, USNM). Union Co.: near Dukes, December 30 1947, F. N. Young #480 (1, UMAA).
Additional records. FLORIDA: Clay Co.: Camp Blanding Wildlife Mgt. Area, tributary of Long Ford Creek
at Gidding Rd, 0.2 mi S of N. Bay Rd., site 83; 29-Oct-95, leg. M.C. & M.F. Minno, det. J.T. Polhemus, JH Epler
(1 JHEC). DeSoto Co.: Horse Creek at State Rte 72, 30 Dec. 1981, leg. R.P. Rutter, det. J.T. Polhemus, JH Epler
(1, 2, JHEC). Franklin Co.: Bald Point, pond off Dunes Rd, 39-iii-2005, leg JH Epler, det JH Epler (1,
JHEC). Hardee Co.: Horse Creek above Goose Pond Road, lat 27.41900, long -81.98478 [HCSW-2], 22-iv-2004,
leg. Biological Research Associates personnel, det. JH Epler (1, JHEC); near Fort Green, 19 July 2005,
herbaceous marsh, coll. K. Bowman (1, 1, RPUC). Lake Co.: Unnamed pond at CR 445 near Astor, Ocala

436 Zootaxa 3915 (3) 2015 Magnolia Press SITES

National Forest (N 29.104147, W -81.566942), 03-V-05, coll: Dana R. Denson (1 nymph, DRDC); Glenn Branch
at NFS 539, Ocala National Forest (N 29.051477, W -81.526125), 28-IV-07, coll: Dana R. Denson (1, FDEP).
Leon Co.: Black Creek off Forest Road 305, 4-iv-2005, leg. JH Epler, det JH Epler (1 JHEC). Osceola Co.:
Whittenhorse Creek at Hartzog Road (N 28.386014, W -81.614676), coll. Dana R. Denson (1, RCID). Palm
Beach Co.: Water Conservation Area 2A, south of Hillsboro Canal spillway S-10C, 26-viii-1992, leg.
Environmental Services & Permitting field personnel, det JT Polhemus, JH Epler (1 JHEC). Wakulla Co.: Saint
Marks National Wildlife Refuge, East River at State Highway 59; 26-xi-2003, leg. JH Epler, det JH Epler (1,
JHEC).
Published records (La Rivers 1970): FLORIDA: Brevard Co.: Titusville; Orange Co.: Orlando; Seminole
Co.: Sanford (type locality).

FIGURE 7. Map of Florida with shaded counties indicating distribution records of Pelocoris balius.

Acknowledgments

I am grateful to Dana R. Denson (Lake Buena Vista) for his kind assistance with recent collections in Lake,
Orange, and Seminole counties and for providing data on specimens in his personal collection and the Reedy Creek
Improvement District reference collection. I also thank John H. Epler (Crawfordville, FL) for suggesting collecting
localities and sharing data from his personal collection. I am also grateful to Robert P. Rutter (Port Charlotte) for
sharing data from his personal collection, Julieta Brambila and Susan Halbert (Florida State Collection of
Arthropods) for providing data and loan of specimens, and Ethan Bright (University of Michigan) for the loan of
specimens. Julieta Brambila kindly provided a critical review of this paper.

PELOCORIS BALIUS IN FLORIDA Zootaxa 3915 (3) 2015 Magnolia Press 437
Literature cited

Epler, J.H. (2006) Identification manual for the aquatic and semi-aquatic Heteroptera of Florida (Belostomatidae, Corixidae,
Gelastocoridae, Gerridae, Hebridae, Hydrometridae, Mesoveliidae, Naucoridae, Nepidae, Notonectidae, Ochteridae,
Pleidae, Saldidae, Veliidae). Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water Resource Management,
Tallahassee, State of Florida, 186 pp.
La Rivers, I. (1970) A new subspecies of Pelocoris femoratus (Palisot-Beauvois) from Florida (Hemiptera: Naucoridae).
Biological Society of Nevada Occasional Papers, 26, 13.
Polhemus, D.A. & Polhemus, J.T. (1988) Family Naucoridae Leach, 1815: The creeping water bugs. In: Henry, T.J. &
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Roback, S.S. & Nieser, N. (1974) Aquatic Hemiptera (Heteroptera) from the llanos of Colombia. Proceedings of the Academy
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Sites, R.W. & Polhemus, J.T. (1995) The Pelocoris (Hemiptera: Naucoridae) fauna of Texas. Southwestern Naturalist, 40 (3),
249254.

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