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You are viewing an archived site. The Chesapeake Bay Introduced Species Database project ended in 2020 and the database is no longer receiving updates. Learn more…

Holocranum saturejae

Invertebrates

cattail seed bug

Taxonomy Invasion History Ecology Impacts References

Description


Taxonomy

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Animalia Hexapoda Insecta Heteroptera Lygaeidae Holocranum

Synonyms

Invasion History

Chesapeake Bay Status

First Record Population Range Introduction Residency Source Region Native Region Vectors
1955 Established Unknown Introduced Regular Resident Europe Eurasia Shipping(unspecified); Ornamental(Aquatic Plants); Agriculture(Packing Material)

History of Spread

The Old-World true bug Holocranum saturejae, was first collected (but not identified at the time) from cattails on the VA Atlantic coast in 1955. In 1994, it was found in coastal and inland locations from FL to VA, and subsequently in Western North America (AZ, NV, CA) as well (Hoffman and Slater 1995; Hoffman 1996; Wheeler and Stoops 1999). Transport by shipping seems the likeliest vector, perhaps among plant debris which accumulates in containers stored at ports (Mikkola and LaFontaine 1994). However, Hoffman and Slater (1995) also consider aeolian transport possible.

Holocranum saturejae feed on Typha spp. (T. angustifolia, T. latifolia, T. dominguensis) flower/seed heads, where all life stages occur (Hoffman and Slater 1996; Wheeler and Stoops 1999). In Europe, this bug has also been occasionally reported from willow catkins (Hoffman and Slater 1996).

In the Chesapeake Bay region, H. saturejae was first captured at Wallops Island VA, Accomack co. in 1955. It is known from 14 VA counties, including 3 sites adjacent to, or nearby Chesapeake Bay tributaries. It also ranges west into the Piedmont and Mountain regions (Hoffman and Slater 1995; Hoffman 1996).

Records on or near Chesapeake Bay tidal waters are: Benjamin Harrison Bridge (Charles City County)/VA/James River; Suffolk City/VA/Hampton Roads drainage (nontidal); Caroline County/VA/York River drainage (nontidal).

History References- Mikkola and LaFontaine 1994; Hoffman and Slater 1995; Hoffman 1996; Wheeler and Stoops 1999

Invasion Comments

Ecology

Environmental Tolerances

For SurvivalFor Reproduction
Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
Temperature (ºC)
Salinity (‰) 0.0 0.0
Oxygen
pH
Salinity Range fresh-meso

Age and Growth

Male Female
Minimum Adult Size (mm) 3.0 3.0
Typical Adult Size (mm) 3.2 3.2
Maximum Adult Size (mm) 3.5 3.5
Maximum Longevity (yrs)
Typical Longevity (yrs

Reproduction

Start Peak End
Reproductive Season
Typical Number of Young
Per Reproductive Event
Sexuality Mode(s)
Mode(s) of Asexual
Reproduction
Fertilization Type(s)
More than One Reproduction
Event per Year
Reproductive Startegy
Egg/Seed Form

Impacts

Economic Impacts in Chesapeake Bay

Holocranum saturejae, a cattail seed-bug, has no known economic impacts in Chesapeake Bay. Typha spp. (Cattails), its host plants, have both positive and negative impacts on the Bay, but the effect of this insect on their populations is unknown.


Economic Impacts Outside of Chesapeake Bay

Holocranum saturejae, a cattail seed-bug, has no known economic impacts in North America. Typha spp. (Cattatils) , its host plants, have both positive and negative impacts throughout their range, but the effect of this insect on their populations is unknown.


Ecological Impacts on Chesapeake Native Species

Holocranum saturejae is an introduced true bug which feeds on the seed-heads of the native cattails Typha latifolia and T. dominguense, as well as the introduced T. angustifolia (Hoffman and Slater 1996; Wheeler and Stoops 1999). Its abundance in the Chesapeake Bay region is unknown, as are its effects on cattails and native cattail-feeding insects.

References- Hoffman and Slater 1996; Wheeler and Stoops 1999


Ecological Impacts on Other Chesapeake Non-Native Species

Holocranum saturejae is an introduced true bug which feeds on the seed-heads of the introduced T. angustifolia (Hoffman and Slater 1996; Wheeler and Stoops 1999), as well as the native cattails Typha latifolia and T. dominguense. Its abundance in the Chesapeake Bay region is unknown, as are its effects on cattails and native cattail-feeding insects. References- Hoffman and Slater 1996; Wheeler and Stoops 1999


References

Grace, James B.; Harrison, Janet S. (1986) The biology of Canadian weeds. 73. Typha latifolia L., Typha angustifolia L. and Typha xglauca Godr., Canadian Journal of Plant Science 66: 361-379

Hoffman, Richard L. (1996) Seed bugs of Virginia (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), The insects of Virginia. 14: 1-86

Hoffman, Richard L.; Slater, James A. (1995) Holocranum saturejae, a Palearctic cattail bug established in Eastern United States and tropical Africa (Heteroptera:Lygaeidae: Artheneinae), Banisteria 5: 12-15

Mikkola, Kauri; LaFontaine, J. Donald (1994) Recent introductions of riparian noctuid moths from the Palearctic region to North America, with the first report of Apamea unanimis (Hubner) (Noctuidae: Amphipyrinae)., Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 48: 121-127

Wheeler, A. G., Jr.; Stoops, Craig A. (1999) Chilacis typhae (Perrin) and Holocranum saturejae (Kolenati) (Hemiptera: Lygaeoidea: Artheneidae): first western North American records of two Palearctic cattail bugs., Pan-Pacific Entomologist 75: 52-54


Direct questions and comments to chesnemo@si.edu.

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