Water boatmen (Corixidae)

I mostly use the 1990 RES key by A A Savage to identify these. Except for two species in the subfamily Cymatiainae (which I've never seen) the key only identifies males to species. It suggests that females can be identified by comparing elytral patterning with identified males but I'm not sure how practical that is in reality, especially without a comprehensive reference collection. For that reason I only select males to retain for identification leaving females unidentified (I examine the underside of their abdomen in the field releasing the symmetrically-plated females and keeping the asymetrical males - unfortunately females often outnumber males so a lot don't get identified).

More to follow in due course...

Corixa panzeri

Corixa punctata

Sigara distincta