title: First New Zealand record of the Australian species Hemiodoecus leai China, 1924 (Hemiptera: Peloridiidae); a hitchhiker on moss.
abstract: The Australian mossbug Hemiodoecus leai China, 1924, is recorded for the first time in New Zealand based on repeated sampling from a self-sustaining population at Opoho Creek, Dunedin (South Island) since 2011. The history of the discovery of H. leai, probably accidentally introduced with moss used to transport fish ova from Tasmania, is summarised. A brief taxonomic treatment accompanied by illustrations and data on distribution, puts this discovery in context with the 2011 taxonomic review of New Zealand Peloridiidae published in the Fauna of New Zealand series. Biological notes based on field and laboratory observations are also provided.
authors.affiliation: 47 Hunt Street, Andersons Bay, Dunedin 9013, New Zealand.; Email: michael.wakelin@xtra.co.nz.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wakelin
authors.affiliation: New Zealand Arthropod Collection, Landcare Research, Private Bag 92170, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.; Email: LariviereM@landcareresearch.co.nz.
authors.forename: Marie-Claude
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Larivière
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D044002:Bryophyta; D005260:Female; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification*; D058865:Introduced Species; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D013045:Species Specificity