BIO-ECONOMICAL LIFE STUDIES OF INDIAN WATER BOATMEN, MICRONECTA STRIATA, FIEB. (CORIXIDAE, HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA)

Abstract

Heteroptera and Homoptera are the two suborders of the order Hemiptera. Typical characteristics of the water boatman, Micronecta striata Fieb 1808, a member of the suborder Heteroptera, include a gular region that is typically welldeveloped, a long pronotum that is large, wings that are thickened basally and membranous apically, wings that are membranous on the back, a pair of wings that fold flat over the back with overlapping apices, and tarsi that are typically three-segmented. Because they devour fish eggs, the water boatmen (Micronecta striata Fieb) are economically significant to humans. In addition to preying on adult mosquitoes, they have been seen destroying anopheles, culex, and aedes mosquito eggs, larvae, and pupae.