Rhagovelia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae) from upper basin of the Putumayo River (Putumayo, Colombia)

Abstract

This study presents the composition, diversity, abundance, geographic and altitudinal distribution of the genus Rhagovelia in the Upper basin of the Putumayo River, located in the Andean foothills of the Amazonia (Putumayo) in Colombia. Sampling stations were established ranging in altitude from 160 to 590 mosl, between the localities of Mocoa and Puerto Asis. Samples were collected in June and November 2015, using entomological nets. In total, seven species were found for the genus Rhagovelia, all of which belong to bisignata and robusta groups; the macropterous morph of Rhagovelia longipes Gould, 1931 was described. Geographic ranges of distribution widened for the majority of the species as a result of this study and the altitudinal range of the species in the Andean foothills of the Amazonia was established. Additionally, the habitat where the species were found was characterized using its physico-chemical parameters.

Keywords

• Amazonía
• insectos semiacuáticos
• Neotropico
• Sudamérica
• sureste de Colombia