Marine insects of the genera Halobates and Hermatobates (Heteroptera) from neuston tows around Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

Two species of Halobates and one species of Hermatobates were found in neuston tows taken at seven locations around Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. The open-ocean Halobates sericeus Eschscholtz was much more abundant than the nearshore Halobates princeps White. Hermatobates weddi China was mainly found in one location, Watson's Bay, and was more frequently caught at night than during the day. Neither Halobates species was caught in any of the tows taken at night.