Major Group: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Dipsocoridae
Genus: Cryptostemma
This family is represented in Australia by a single genus, Cryptostemma Herrich-Schaeffer. |
Descriptive Features: body dull brown, forewings sometimes with a grey sheen
head porrect, conical, weakly deflexed, with macrotrichae
ocelli always present in macropterous forms
antennal segments 1 and 2 short, thick, segments 3 and 4 filiform, with fine, long hair
rostrum squat, at most reaching prosternum
forewing not divided into corium and membrane, usually with a deep costal fracture, reaching the M vein
wing polymorphism occurs, although most Cryptostemma species are macropterous
nymphs with 4 pairs of dorsal abdominal scent gland openings between terga 3-4, 4-5, 5-6 and 6-7
tarsi segmentation varies, generally 2- or 3-segmented, adult pretarsus with a single parempodium
number of abdominal spiracles is reduced
Total length: (m) 2.5-2.7 mm (f) 2.5-2.8 mm |
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Cryptostemma |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Species
Cryptostemma hickmani Hill
Cryptostemma monga Hill
Cryptostemma triacanthota Hill
Cryptostemma uriarra Hill |
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Distribution: Tas, NSW
Sensitivity Rating: none
Functional Feeding Group: predators |
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Clyde River, Tas |
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Ecology: Instream habitat: Cryptostemma species are semi-aquatic bugs. They live interstitially in gravel along the margins of streams, immediately above the water level.
Feeding ecology:Dipsocorid bugs are predaceous.
Habit: These bugs are frequently found in flooded rivers suggesting that they can survive long periods of submersion. They run rapidly when disturbed but are usually cryptozoic (living in enclosed or secluded places).
Life history: |
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Information Sources: Cassis & Gross 1995, Lansbury & Lake 2002, Hill 1987
Key to species: Hill 1987 |
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