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Hydrophilus sp.
I found this beetle inside my house. It is a small water scavenger beetle. When it fell on its back, it can jump up to flip back over onto its feet. The size of this beetle is approximately 5 - 8 mm long.
- Around the house and garden.
- I used Hydrophilus sp. as a scientific name because its characteristics are very close to this beetle. Hydrophilus is a genus from a family hydrophilidae. If someone know more information, please tell me.
Spotted on Dec 9, 2013
Submitted on Dec 11, 2013
10 Comments
Ok. I think I'll use Hydrophilus sp. as a scientific name because its characteristics are very close to this beetle.
If someone know any other details, please tell me... :)
Okay! Well since my experience with live specimens is limited to Hydrophilus sp., I will leave this one to you. I just thought it would be good to put the info out there since they are similar in appearance.
I have experience with these beetles. It is certainly one of the genera in the subtribe Hydrophilina: Brownephilus – Hydrobiomorpha – Hydrochara – Hydrophilus – Protistolophus – Sternolophus – Tropisternus
I have to disagree with you on palpi length. I've seen collected Dystids with long palpi like this though, yes, they are typically shorter. However, I usually deal with collected (and very dead) specimens when it comes to beetles so I am unsure of the behavioral aspect of not folding the antennae.
Yes, i think it is from genus Hydrophilus. But i don't know the species. The only information that i found is about large Hydrophilus species. The size of this one is less than 10mm long.
It is a hydrophilid! Dytiscids don't have long palpi like that, aren't so convex, and never have their antennae folded away.
Thanks valgaavmiko for that information. I'll do some research... :)
Not necessarily. It could also by a Dysticid. To tell the difference, you need to look at the ventral side (the bottom). If it has a spine that runs from the head, nearly to the end and has clubbed antennae, it is a Hydrophilid. If it has no spine AND filamentous antennae it is a Dysticid.
Oh, thank you for your answer... :)
Yes, a hydrophilid