Belostomatidae

Abstract: The people living in Manipur have a distinct identity, culture, and food habits. They have a prototype culture of eating insects. In our study, the nutritive contents of five potentially-edible aquatic insects, Lethocerus indicus (Lepeletier and Serville) (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae), Laccotrephes maculatus (F.) (Nepidae), Hydrophilus olivaceous (F.) (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), Cybister tripunctatus (Olivier), and Crocothemis servilia (Drury) (Odonata: Libellulidae), were analyzed to inform consumers about the nutritional quality of the insects and the suggested quantity of their intake. A good amount of protein content and high gross energy was recorded among the insects. The results showed high levels of sodium, calcium, and magnesium present in the insects, indicating that they are a good source of minerals. Antinutritional properties of these insects were below 0.52%, which is a non-toxic level. Aquatic insects, such as C. tripunctatus, also possesses strong antioxidant activity (110 µg/mL). Therefore, these insects can play a major role in food security, health, and environment management. It is essential to cultivate edible insects to maintain their population sustainability.

Abstract: Buruli ulcer is a necrotizing skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans and associated with exposure to aquatic habitats. To assess possible transmission of M. ulcerans by aquatic biting insects, we conducted a field examination of biting water bugs (Hemiptera: Naucoridae, Belostomatidae, Nepidae) in 15 disease-endemic and 12 non–disease-endemic areas of Ghana, Africa. From collections of 22,832 invertebrates, we compared composition, abundance, and associated M. ulcerans positivity among sites. Biting hemipterans were rare and represented a small percentage (usually <2%) of invertebrate communities. No significant differences were found in hemipteran abundance or pathogen positivity between disease-endemic and non–disease-endemic sites, and between abundance of biting hemipterans and M. ulcerans positivity. Therefore, although infection through insect bites is possible, little field evidence supports the assumption that biting hemipterans are primary vectors of M. ulcerans.

Abstract: Synopsis An account is given of the habitat, feeding habits, life history and dispersal of Belostoma malkini and Lethocerus maximus in Trinidad. Degeneration of the flight muscles is described, and the factors involved in its control are discussed.

Abstract: The seven genera recognized in the Belostomatidae pertain to three new subfamilies: LETHOCERINAE, with the one genus Lethocerus; HORVATHINIINAE , with the single genus Horvathinia ; and BELOSTOMATINAE, with the five genera Limnogeton, Hydrocyrius (= Poissonia , = Diplonychus auctt. nec Laporte), Diplonychus (= Sphaerodema ), Belostoma , and Abedus . Only Lethocerus occurs in both hemispheres; Abedus, Belostoma , and Horvathinia are American, while Lmnogeton, Hydrocyrius , and Diplonychus are Old-World genera. The phallus is reviewed for the first time as a character important for the separation of the genera, whose nomenclature and synonymies are outlined and discussed. The taxonomy, phylogeny, zoogeography, and paleontology of the subfamilies and genera are treated, and keys are provided for generic identification.