On the Water Striders (Heteroptera, Gerridae) of the Fauna of Russia: History of Study, Erroneous Identifications, and Features of Biology

Abstract

The history of study in Russia is reviewed and the distribution ranges are clarified for water striders of the genus Gerris: G. (s. str.) costae, G. (s. str.) thoracicus, G. (Gerriselloides) asper, G. (Gerriselloides) brachynotus, and G. (Gerriselloides) lateralis. A critical review of the faunistic literature and erroneous records of these species from Russia is given. Distribution maps with new locations are provided for G. (Gerriselloides) asper and G. (Gerriselloides) brachynotus. The preference of species of the subgenera Gerris, Gerriselloides, and Macrogerris with a brownish dorsum for the shady parts of water bodies is discussed.