Inverse Relationship of Hemiptera Richness with Temperature in South Korea

The distribution pattern of species richness was determined by temperature. To examine the relationship between hemipteran richness and temperature, hemipteran species were collected using pitfall traps at six different oak forest sites with different annual mean temperatures in South Korea. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted with mean annual temperature (MAT) and plant richness to evaluate differences in hemipteran richness. The influences of MAT and plant richness of study sites on hemipteran richness were examined by comparing three models (plant richness+MAT+MAT², plant richness+MAT, and MAT) or two models (plant richness+MAT and MAT). Hemipteran richness showed an inverse diversity pattern as a function of temperature, with higher species richness at lower temperature sites. Meanwhile, Aphididae showed a bell-shaped diversity pattern with the highest value at low medium temperatures. The regression analysis showed that hemipteran richness was affected by temperature and plant richness in their habitats.