Hydrophilus palpalis

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

Hydrophilus palpalis is a species of water scavenger beetles belonging to the Hydrophilinae subfamily.

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

1. Roberto Arce-Pérez y Miguel Ángel Morón The genus Hydrophilus (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilina) in Mexico and Central America Instituto de Ecología, A. C.
2. Hansen, M. 1991 The hydrophilid beetles: phylogeny, classification and a revision of the genera (Coleoptera, Hydrophiloidea) Biologiske skrifter, 40 ISSN   0366-3612 ISBN   87-7304-226-9
3. Marcia Maria Dosciatti de Oliveira, Juan Antonio Regil Cueto, Cristiano Dalla-Rosa and Leonardo Henrique Matias ASPECTOS DA BIOLOGIA DE Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) palpalis Brullé, 1837 (COLEOPTERA : HYDROPHILIDAE) Universidade de Caxias do Sul - UCS
4. Marcia Maria Dosciatti de Oliveira Coleópteros aquáticos da família Hydrophilidae associados à cultura de Arroz irrigado
5. ECO registros