Inventory of Aquatic True Bugs of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 Research was conducted to document water bug (Insecta: Heteroptera:
Nepomorpha, Gerromorpha, Leptopodomorpha) diversity of the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Prior to this research, no water bug survey
existed for GSMNP, with 13 total species historically recorded from the Park. One
collecting trip of seven days (2-8 August 2008) was conducted in GSMNP, wherein
42 localities (lentic and lotic habitats) were sampled throughout the Park. Standard
triangular dipnets were used for sampling, along with additional specialized
methods for semiaquatic taxa. These taxa included toad bugs, riffle bugs, and shore
bugs, where aspirators and aerial nets were utilized. The survey effort resulted in
collection of 1,049 specimens, comprising 11 families, 23 genera, and 42 species of
aquatic and semiaquatic true bugs. Of this total, 29 species are newly recorded for
the GSMNP, with which 14 species are newly recorded for Tennessee and two
species newly recorded for North Carolina. One possibly undescribed species
(Corixidae) was also collected. Literature records indicate approximately 60 species
of water bugs possible for Tennessee and North Carolina. As such, further survey
efforts and specialized collecting will likely produce additional species records for
GSMNP, particularly with the water boatmen (Corixidae), backswimmers
(Notonectidae), and water striders (Gerridae).