On the importance of citizen-science: first records of the Giant water bug Lethocerus patruelis (Hemiptera, Belostomatidae) in Cyprus

• Published in: Travaux du Muséum national d'histoire naturelle "Grigore Antipa" Vol. 66; no. 2; pp. 291 - 299
• Main Authors: Hadjiconstantis, Michael, Tziortzis, Iakovos, Kunt, Kadir Boğaç
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bucharest Pensoft Publishers 2023
• Subjects: distribution; Mediterranean; migration; social net
• ISSN: 1223-2254; 2247-0735
• DOI: 10.3897/travaux.66.e94457

Citizen science has gradually become an important source of data for science. In the present work, we further corroborate this notion by confirming the presence of the Giant water bug,
Lethocerus patruelis
on the island of Cyprus, based on citizen findings. Our records rely almost entirely on information initially provided through social networks by biodiversity-enthusiast users. We investigate the likely origin of
L. patruelis
in Cyprus and discuss the possibility of an established population of the species on the island. We also outline some initial thoughts on the environmental impact of a possible future establishment on the islands' water bodies.