Curicta Stål, 1862 (Insecta: Heteroptera: Nepidae) from Maranhão, Brazil

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT The genus Curicta Stål comprises aquatic insects commonly known as water scorpions and typically occurs in habitats associated with marginal mud. It is exclusively distributed in the New World, with 17 species recorded in the Neotropical Region, including 12 in Brazil. In the state of Maranhão, only one species, Curicta montei De Carlo, has been documented to date. Thus, this study aims to explore the diversity of Curicta in the state of Maranhão. A total of 124 specimens were collected, representing three species Curicta granulosa De Carlo, C. johnpolhemi Keffer, and C. montei. Notably, C. johnpolhemi and C. granulosa are reported here as new distribution records for the state of Maranhão. Previously described based solely on a single female, our investigation of C. johnpolhemi enabled the description of the male, providing additional taxonomic insights for the species. Photographs of one specimen from each species are provided and diagnostic features are illustrated.