Mass Oviposition and Egg Development of the Ocean-Skater Halobates sobrinus (Heteroptera: Gerridae)

Abstract

We report the first observation of mass oviposition by the ocean-skater Halobates sobrinus White in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. We netted, in one scoop, 833 insects and a single egg mass with an estimated 70,000 eggs on a plastic gallon (3.785-liter) milk jug. Evidently anthropogenic debris could provide potentially important oviposition substrates for Halobates spp. in the open ocean. Freshly laid eggs incubated at 26-32°C hatched within 8-10 days. Eggs kept at temperatures below 22°C did not hatch even after 20 days.