Occurrence of Microvelia douglasi douglasi Scott. (Veliidae:Heteroptera) in Tamil Nadu

A survey of aquatic habitats including rice fields of certain localities in and around Chidambaram, Tamilnadu revealed the presence of a new species of ripple bug which is reported to be predatory on plant hoppers of rice in other countries. The insect thus gathered was identified as Microvelia douglasi douglasi Scott. (Veliidae:Heteroptera). The occurrence of this species is reported for the first time in India. Earlier, an unidentified species of Microvelia was reportedly found in the rice fields of Cuttack subsisting on brown planthoppers (Samal and Misra, 1981). Later, Microvelia atrolineata (Bergr.) was observed in karnataka as a natural enemy of the brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.) (Gubbaiah, 1983).