Intertidal insects associated with halophytic Suaeda (Amaranthaceae) in Japan: a case study in Saga, northern Kyushu

Abstract

In contrast to a great diversity in insects in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, few known species have adapted to inhabit marine environments. In this study, we surveyed insects associated with halophytic plants of Suaeda (Amaranthaceae) distributed in intertidal zones, in northern Kyushu, Japan. On four Japanese native species of Suaeda, we found insects belonging to five orders and 18 species. Amongst them, the genus Clanoneurum (Diptera: Ephydridae) and Coleophora deviella (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) were newly reported from Japan; and Orthotylus (Melanotrichus) parvulus (Hemiptera: Miridae) was newly recorded from Kyushu. The seasonal occurrence of several insects on Suaeda is reported.

Keywords

• halophyte
• insect fauna
• intertidal zone
• <i>Suaed