| Atractelmis | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Atractelmis on image N.O 58 and N.0 59 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Elateriformia |
| Family: | Elmidae |
| Genus: | Atractelmis Chandler, 1954 [2] |
| Species: | A. wawona |
| Binomial name | |
| Atractelmis wawona Chandler, 1954 [2] | |
Atractelmis is a genus of riffle beetles in the family Elmidae. The genus is monotypic, the sole species being Atractelmis wawona, [3] [4] also known as the Wawona riffle beetle. [1] [5] It is endemic to the Western United States between California, Oregon, and Idaho. [1] [5] The specific name wawona refers to its type locality, Wawona in the Yosemite National Park. [2]
Atractelmis wawona occur in riffles of rapid clear mountain streams at 600–1,500 m (2,000–5,000 ft) above sea level. [1] Adults and larvae occur in the same microhabitats and are typically found in aquatic mosses, particularly Platyhypnidium riparioides . [6] These beetles are easily overlooked but can be locally numerous. [1]
Adults measure about 2 mm (0.079 in) in length and 0.9 mm (0.035 in) in width. They are shiny black above with four red spots on the elytra. [2] The larvae can grow to 4.8–5 mm (0.19–0.20 in) in length. [6]