Helocombus bifidus

Helocombus bifidus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Hydrophilidae
Subfamily: Hydrophilinae
Tribe: Acidocerini
Genus: Helocombus
Species: H. bifidus
Binomial name
Helocombus bifidus
(LeConte, 1855)

Helocombus bifidus is a species of hydrophilid beetle and the only species in the genus Helocombus.[1][2]

Description

Adult size ranges from 5.5 to 7.8 millimetres (0.22 to 0.31 in) in length. Their maxillary palpi are long and slender with the last segment shorter than the preceding segment and the pseudobasal segment concave inwardly. There is a pyramidal projection medially on the mesosternum, and the elytra have distinct striations. The middle and hind tarsi have four segments, while tarsal claws have a basal tooth in both males and females.[3]

The antennae on larvae have basal segments that are slightly shorter of subequal to the remaining segments, with sensorium on the apex of segment 2. The labroclypeus has several smaller central teeth and two larger teeth on each side. The mandibles are symmetrical, and both have two inner teeth. Larvae also have well developed legs, and the ligula is subequal to the length of the first palpal segment.[3]

Distribution

H. bifidus ranges across much of eastern North America from Labrador south to central Florida and west to the Great Plains. It has been collected from pond and lake habitats containing emergent vegetation, such as sedges, as well as in slow moving streams.[3][4][5]

References

  1. "Helocombus bifidus (LeConte, 1855)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  2. Short, Andrew E.Z.; Fikåček, Martin (2011). "World catalogue of the Hydrophiloidea (Coleoptera): additions and corrections II (2006-1010)". Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae. 51 (1): 83–122. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 26, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Epler, John H. (2010). "The Water Beetles of Florida" (PDF). Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
  4. Whiteman, Noah; Sites, Robert W. (2001). "Aquatic Poyphaga (Coleoptera) state records from the Missouri Prairie Region". Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 74 (2): 101–105. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2015.
  5. Fairchild, G. Winfield; Cruz, Jason; Faulds, Ann M. (2003). "Microhabitat and landscape influences on aquatic beetle assemblages in a cluster of temporary and permanent ponds". Journal of the North American Benthological Society. 22 (2): 224–240. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2015.
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