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Peter J. Cowan & Elaine M. Cowan. 2017. Short note: The Arabian waterscorpion (Insecta: Heteroptera: Nepidae) can fly. Tribulus 24: 144.

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144 Tribulus Vol. 24 - 2016
At about 08.45 h on 25 May 2016, an Arabian waterscorpion, presumably Laccotrephes fabricii Stål, 1868
(Cowan & Cowan 2014), was located by us in the apparently permanent ‘dragonfly pool’ (23° 4.5’ N, 57° 21.6’
E, 680 m asl, Cowan & Cowan 2013, 2014) near Nizwa, between Al Hamra and Tanuf in the Jebel Akhdar
foothills, northern Oman. We remembered that it was important to observe a flying specimen to see whether it
was possible for the species to fly when searching for new pools to colonise (Cowan & Cowan 2014). Walker
& Pittaway (1987) had stated that L. fabricii cannot fly and is confined to permanent bodies of water.
The waterscorpion was in shallow water, partially in submerged vegetation (Figure 1). Soon after location,
we caught it using a hand net and placed the waterscorpion on a white plastic plate (Figure 2) and then PJC’s
arm (Figure 3). EMC commented that it was best to let the surface of the waterscorpion dry out to simulate
drying out of the pool. So we walked back to our seats with the waterscorpion in the net and placed the net
(and waterscorpion) on PJC’s knee (Figure 4). The waterscorpion moved its forewings slightly (Figures 5, 6)
and then suddenly, some 15 minutes after we first found it, it flew off strongly, making a whirring/buzzing noise
as it did so. It flew well away from the pool 2 to 3 metres above the ground.
The Arabian waterscorpion (Insecta: Heteroptera: Nepidae) can fly
by Peter J. Cowan and Elaine M. Cowan
Fig. 1 The waterscorpion was in shallow water, partially in submerged vegetation, at the wadi ‘dragonfly pool’ near Nizwa,
25 May 2016. The raptorial forelegs and respiratory tube reaching the surface are well visible. [All pictures by EMC.]
Fig. 2. The waterscorpion out of the water but appearing wet. Fig. 3 On PJC’s arm, still looking wet. Dipterists might be
interested in its temporary passenger.
Short Note:
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Fig. 4. Waterscorpion (looking drier) on net on PJC’s knee.
Fig. 5. Waterscorpion slightly opened its wings. Note the
animal’s rostrum or beak below its head.
Fig. 6. Wings opened further, prior to takeoff.
References
Cowan, E.M. and Cowan, P.J. (2013). The dragonflies
and damselflies of a wadi pool near Nizwa, northern
Oman, 2012–2013. Tribulus 21: 14-23.
Cowan, P.J. and Cowan, E.M. (2014). Observations of
waterscorpions (Insecta: Heteroptera: Nepidae) in the
Nizwa area, northern Oman. Tribulus 22: 75-77.
Walker, D.H. and Pittaway, A.R. (1987). Insects of
Eastern Arabia. Macmillan, London.
Peter J. Cowan
Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry
University of Nizwa
Sultanate of Oman
Email:desertmammal@yahoo.com
Elaine M. Cowan
School of Education
University of Aberdeen
Scotland, UK
Tribulus Vol. 24 - 2016 145
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Book
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The only illustrated guide to date to the insect life of Arabia, this book covers those species most likely to be noticed in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, eastern Saudi Arabia and northern Oman, due to their abundance, size, colours and activities. Aimed principally at laymen, it is also sufficiently technical to provide a valuable basic reference work for specialists. Although a guide to the Arab Gulf States, this book would also be useful in neighbouring countries. The classification and anatomy of insects are reviewed in an introductory section of the book. A systematic account of the orders and important families of insects follows and includes information on about 600 species, with notes on their economic importance where relevant. For each species dealt with, original observations on their biology, behaviour and habitats are presented, together with maps of their known distribution across the entire Arabian Peninsula. Coloured illustrations of adults (and in some cases immature stages) are provided. One new species of mydid fly is described by J. Bowden. To add to the general interest of the book, some personal reflections on Arabia are added. Indexes to scientific and common names are provided. [Whole book also available to download on this site (as Linked data file IEA_ALL.pdf via Insects of eastern Arabia [whole book] at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272094323_Insects_of_eastern_Arabia_whole_book)]