Hydrophilus palpalis

Hydrophilus palpalis
Hydrophilus palpalis from Argentina
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Hydrophilidae
Genus:	Hydrophilus
Species:	H. palpalis
Binomial name
Hydrophilus palpalis Brullé , 1838

Hydrophilus palpalis is a species of water scavenger beetles belonging to the Hydrophilidae family.

Hydrophilus palpalis. Illustration from Voyage dans l'Amérique Méridionale (1835) by Alcide d'Orbigny

Some authors have included this species in a distinct genus (Diboloceus), but most of them consider Diboloceus just a subgenus of Hydrophilus (Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) palpalis).^[1][2]

Description and behavior

This large species has an oval and moderately convex body. The basic color of the body is dark brown or black. Antennae are 9-segmented. Prosternum is well developed, divided into two lobes. Elytra show ten extremely fine striae. Hind femora are glabrous.^{[1] [2]}

These beetles are adapted for aquatic life. The first-stage larvae and the adults are excellent swimmers. Adults are mainly vegetarian while the larvae are carnivorous and have a preference for molluscs.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found in South America in aquatic habitat, especially in rice cultivations (Oryza sativa). ^[4][5]

Bibliography

• Marcia Maria Dosciatti de Oliveira - Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) palpalis Brullé, 1838 (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) – Ciclo vital y datos biogeográficos sobre las otras especies del subgênero
• Márcia M. D. de Oliveira; Cristiano Dalla-Rosa; Leonardo H. Matias; Juan A. R. Cueto Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) palpalis (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Hydrophilinae): description of the immature stages Iheringia, Sér. Zool. vol.94 no.4 Porto Alegre Dec. 2004

References

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