Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
described in 1832 by
Thomas Say as
Belastoma grisea (
original description)
=
Benacus griseus (often treated in a separate [sub]genus
Benacus (1))
Explanation of Names
griseus is Latin for "gray"
Identification
According to John T. Polhemus, "can be separated from
L. americanus... by the evenly curving anterior margins of the eyes;
L. americanus has more bulging eyes. The best key character of
griseus is the pad of "fur" rather than a groove on the inner face of the fore femur;
griseus is the only
Lethocerus species with this feature."
in
L. griseus, anterior margin of eye is evenly curved, posterior margin of eye is at an oblique angle to body axis, and eye is broadly triangular with rounded corners; outer margin of hind tibia broadly curved; width of first hind tarsal segment greater than least interocular distance [all of these features are visible
here]
in
L. americanus, anterior margin of eye is bulging, posterior margin of eye is perpendicular to body axis, and eye is almost spherical; outer margin of hind tibia almost straight; width of first hind tarsal segment less than or equal to least interocular distance
in
L. uhleri, the middle and hind legs are distinctly banded
Range
eastern United States (Massachusetts-Michigan-Texas-Florida); Mexico to Guatemala, West Indies
(3)Habitat
ponds and other bodies of still, shallow water
