Aquatic Heteroptera of Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia

In the fresh and marine waters of Singapore and Peninsula Malaysia, the most common and widespread insects are the aquatic heteroptera.

In 1963, C. H. Fernando and Lanna Cheng produced A guide to the Malayan Water Bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) with keys to the genera for students at the University of Singapore. It is still used as a identification guide though in urgent need of revision.

Since then collections and knowledge of aquatic insects have been greatly expanded and there is an urgent need for an up to date guide.

In response to this need, a group of of entomologists began publishing a series of papers from 2001 in The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology to provide a guide to the families of the aquatic heteroptera. The paper introduce the family and provide a key to genera, an up-to-date list of species, and information on biology, habitats, and distribution.

The series was dedicated to Dr. Herbert C. Fernando "who almost single-handedly started the study of aquatic insects in the Department of Zoology at the then University of Singapore." He is now Professor Emeritus, Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

This series of papers are a significant resource for scientists, managers, conservationists and educators.

In recognition of this ongoing contribution this webpage was established in 2004. All the papers are available for free download and it is hoped this will facilitate its use.