Abedus info page

This page: https://bugguide.net/node/view/86535

lists Abedus as the smallest of the Belastomatids, at 13-15 mm. Abedus are actually much larger, greater than 27 mm, as seen in the reference section of the same page: https://essig.berkeley.edu/documents/cis/cis21.pdf

The info page for Belastoma makes the same mistake: https://bugguide.net/node/view/16164

Thanks!
Robby Deans

Contributed by Robert Deans on 14 August, 2019 - 7:49pm

Not a mistake...but also, a mistake

The western species of Abedus are all big bruisers, ranging from 20-40 mm. Abedus immaculatus (Say) -- found in Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi -- is the smallest belostomatid species in North America. It's only about 13 mm. Epler (2006)(1) suggested it probably represents a genus separate from Abedus.

I have a specimen here somewhere. When I run across it, I'll try to get a photo for the guide.

In the meantime, those size ranges on the Info pages will need to be adjusted to accommodate both A. immaculatus and the bigger, western species. I've made some changes which will hopefully clear up the confusion a bit.

Thanks for pointing this out.

… Brady Richards, 14 August, 2019 - 11:02pm

Cool

Thanks for the info and the fix!

… Robert Deans, 14 August, 2019 - 11:51pm

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