Limnoporus rufoscutellatus
(Latreille, 1807)
pond skater
Limnoporus rufoscutellatus is a Holarctic water strider in the Gerridae, first described by Latreille in 1807. It is one of the larger pond skater species in Great Britain and has established in Ireland. The species exhibits geographic variation across its broad range, with some Nearctic populations previously described as distinct now synonymized with the Palearctic form.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Limnoporus rufoscutellatus: /ˌlɪmnəˈpɔːrəs ˌruːfoʊskjuːtəˈleɪtəs/
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Identification
In Great Britain, L. rufoscutellatus is one of three larger water strider , distinguished from Aquarius paludum by the absence of a yellow lateral line on the pronotum and the lack of upward-facing spines extending to the abdominal tip. It differs from Aquarius najas by having longer spines and a reddish central area on the pronotum, which A. najas lacks.
Images
Distribution
Europe; Russia; Northern Canada; Alaska; Ireland; Great Britain (rare). GBIF records indicate presence in Europe & Northern Asia (excluding China) and North America.
Similar Taxa
- Aquarius paludumYellow lateral line on pronotum and upward-facing spines extending to abdominal tip present in A. paludum, absent in L. rufoscutellatus
- Aquarius najasShorter spines and no distinctive pronotal coloration in A. najas; L. rufoscutellatus has longer spines and reddish pronotal center
- Limnoporus genitalisFormerly treated as of L. rufoscutellatus but elevated to status; insular distribution (Hokkaido, Kurile Islands, Sakhalin) versus continental range of L. rufoscutellatus