Spatial distribution pattern of Hemiptera community (Heteroptera) in the urban water bodies of Daloa (Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa)

Abstract

The diversity of aquatic Hemiptera and their spatial dynamics has been investigated in Daloa's urban water bodies during two seasons between June and august 2015. Samplings were performed by using grab and kicknet on twelve stations. A total of 1105 individuals from 21 taxa belonging to 10 families were identidfied. The largest taxonomic richness were recorded in ponds, lakes and channels. Hemiptera taxonomic richness variation was not depended of the season, but corolated with the type of aquatic environment. These insects were distributed in the various water according to their particular ecological requirements like pH and temperature. So while some were strongly associated with pH, others were positively corrolated with temperature. The Diplonychus sp. of Belostomatidae family and Micronecta sp. of Corixidae family which are the vectors and potential hosts of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of burili ulcers, are more prevalent in Daloa different urban water.