Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Bidessus
Numbers
19 species in North America listed under
Bidessus at
nearctica.com
3 species in Canada listed in PDF doc at
CBIFSize
adult body length 1.5 - 5 mm
larva to 7 mm
Identification
Adult:
body brown to black with contrasting yellowish-orange pattern; head orange or yellow; antennae filamentous; hind legs with fringe of swimming hairs
absence of transverse occipital line behind the eye
(1)
pair of sublateral plicae (grooves) on the pronotum that contacts the base and extends onto the basal portion of the elytra (as in most members in the Bidessini tribe)
(1)Range
southeastern Canada and northeastern United States, plus British Columbia [and adjacent parts of northwestern US (?)]
Habitat
among submergent vegetation in small temporary or permanent ponds, or edges of small, slow-moving streams
Food
larvae and adults predaceous on other aquatic invertebrates
Life Cycle
Overwinters as an adult. One of the first aquatic insects to colonize new water bodies, such as stormwater retention ponds. Adults can fly long distances, making them effective dispersers.
Remarks
The situation with
Bidessus and
Uvarus is confusing at ITIS. They list
Bidessus granarius (Aube) and
B. lacustris (Say) as both valid, and list
Uvarus granarius (Aube) and
U. lacustris (Say) as both valid.
Internet References
adult image of
U. lacustris plus description and other info (Charles Staines, Discover Life in America, dlia.org)
adult image of
U. suburbanus plus description and other info (Charles Staines, Discover Life in America, dlia.org)
live adult and larva images of undetermined species, plus other info (U. of Michigan, Dearborn)
adult image of undetermined species (U. of Massachusetts, Boston)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 27 July, 2005 - 9:14pm
Additional contributions by
t.lohLast updated 14 February, 2009 - 9:17pm
