Document: JOH-3-82-14

Non-indigenous Hemiptera: Heteroptera (Insecta) in Oregon: An analysis of occurrence and habitat.

LATTIN, J.D*

Oregon State University Corvallis OR 97331 USA ¹

Abstract:
Oregon has 600 known species of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera). Forty-nine are non-indigenous (NIS) (8.2%), representing seven families: Anthocoridae (7 spp.), Cimicidae (1 sp.), Leptopodidae (1 sp.), Lygaeidae (4 spp.), Miridae (28 spp.), Nabidae (1 sp.), Reduviidae (5 spp.) and Tingidae (2 spp.). Three NIS are native to eastern North America and 46 are native outside North America. Two species of Anthocoridae were introduced deliberately (from Pakistan and India) and the others have been introduced accidentally via human activities. Twenty-six are predaceous and 23 are phytophagous. The earliest introductions occurred in the late 1700's and the process continues today. At least seven species have been detected since 1990 and three since 1998. Most NIS occur west of the Cascade Mountains, chiefly in the Willamette Valley, an area heavily impacted by agriculture and development. On the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, a 6400 ha old-growth Douglas-fir site on the west slopes of the Oregon Cascade Mountains, 211 species of Hemiptera: Heteroptera occur. Seven are NIS (3.1%) and all occur in the adjacent Willamette Valley. We still have much to learn about the impact of introduced species upon the native biota if we are to maintain the biological diversity of native organisms.

Keywords: Oregon, introduced species, Hemiptera:Heteroptera, true bugs, impact on biodiversity

This abstract is being presented at: 2:15 PM in session:
Oral Session #53: Terrestrial Invertebrate Ecology.