| Rhantus suturalis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Dytiscidae |
| Genus: | Rhantus |
| Species: | R. suturalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhantus suturalis (W.S. Macleay, 1825) | |
Rhantus suturalis, commonly known as the supertramp beetle [1] or cosmopolitan diving beetle, [2] is a species of diving beetle (Dytiscidae) with a cosmopolitan distribution.
Adult Rhantus suturalis range from 10.5 to 13.0 mm in length. The head is black with a pale anterior margin and a pale marking between the eyes, and the antennae and palps are also pale. The pronotum is pale with a usually well-defined dark mark in the middle. The elytra are pale brown and covered in fine punctures. The sternites of the abdomen are completely black. The legs are brown and often have the metatibiae and metatarsi darker. Males differ from females in the basal tarsomeres of the prolegs and midlegs being weakly dilated, and the protarsal claws being unequal and much shorter than the terminal tarsomere. [1]
In Europe, R. suturalis coexists with the also-common species R. exsoletus , but that species has a vague black posterior margin to the pronotum instead of a central dark mark, and its abdominal sternites are yellow instead of black. [3] In Australia, the only other Rhantus species is R. simulans , which is larger (12.8-13.5 mm) and only found in the country's southwest, unlike the more widespread R. suturalis. [4]
Larvae are typical for larvae of Dytiscidae, with a flat head, crescent-shaped jaws and a segmented body. The legs are partially fringed with hairs, used in swimming. The end of the abdomen has a pair of cerci which are covered in setae. Fully grown larvae are about 15 mm long. [5]
Pupae are covered in stiff hairs. These hairs keep the rest of the pupa off the mud of the pupation cell (see the "Life cycle" section below), which may help it avoid fungal infection and keep the surrounding air fresh. [6]
Breeding occurs in spring and early summer, with eggs being deposited among submerged debris. Larvae emerge a few days later. The larval stage lasts three weeks and involves three instars. Towards the end of the larval stage, larvae become temporarily inactive, then leave the water to dig a cell in which pupation occurs. The pupal stage may only last a few days, but adults remain inside the cell for a while longer to become pigmented and harden their exoskeletons. Finally, less than two weeks after the digging of the pupation cell, adults emerge. [1]
Adults are present throughout the year. They are believed to overwinter in the water. In milder climates, they may remain active throughout the winter. [1]
These beetles typically occur in small water bodies with little or no vegetation. They may be found in garden ponds, temporary pools, flooded tyre ruts, water butts and brackish water ponds. [1]
Adults and larvae are both predators whose preferred prey is mosquito larvae. Additionally, larvae can be cannibalistic. [1]
Midge larvae and water fleas have also been described as prey of R. suturalis. [7]
The insects of the beetle family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles, and include over 37,000 species in more than 2,500 genera, making up one of the largest and most commonly encountered of all beetle families. Numerous subfamilies are recognized, but the precise taxonomy and systematics are likely to change with ongoing research.
The Haliplidae are a family of water beetles that swim using an alternating motion of the legs. They are therefore clumsy in water, and prefer to get around by crawling. The family consists of about 200 species in 5 genera, distributed wherever there is freshwater habitat; it is the only extant member of superfamily Haliploidea. They are also known as crawling water beetles or haliplids.
Dytiscus is a Holarctic genus of predaceous diving beetles that usually live in wetlands and ponds. There are 26 species in this genus distributed in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North and Central America. They are predators that can reduce mosquito larvae.
The Dytiscidae – based on the Greek dytikos (δυτικός), "able to dive" – are the predaceous diving beetles, a family of water beetles. They occur in virtually any freshwater habitat around the world, but a few species live among leaf litter. The adults of most are between 1 and 2.5 cm (0.4–1.0 in) long, though much variation is seen between species. The European Dytiscus latissimus and Brazilian Megadytes ducalis are the largest, reaching up to 4.5 cm (1.8 in) and 4.75 cm (1.9 in) respectively. In contrast, the smallest is likely the Australian Limbodessus atypicali of subterranean waters, which only is about 0.9 mm (0.035 in) long. Most are dark brown, blackish, or dark olive in color with golden highlights in some subfamilies. The larvae are commonly known as water tigers due to their voracious appetite. They have short, but sharp mandibles and immediately upon biting, they deliver digestive enzymes into prey to suck their liquefied remains. The family includes more than 4,000 described species in numerous genera.
The soldier flies are a family of flies. The family contains over 2,700 species in over 380 extant genera worldwide. Adults are found near larval habitats, which are found in a wide array of locations, mostly in wetlands, damp places in soil, sod, under bark, in animal excrement, and in decaying organic matter. The Stratiomyinae are a different subgroup that tends to have an affinity to aquatic environments. They are diverse in size and shape, though they commonly are partly or wholly metallic green, or somewhat wasplike mimics, marked with black and yellow or green and sometimes metallic. They are often rather inactive flies which typically rest with their wings placed one above the other over the abdomen.
Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habitats and feeding preferences.
Rhantus is a genus of beetle in family Dytiscidae. There are about 100 species distributed worldwide. They often live in pools and marshy habitat types. Several species have colonized oceanic islands and become endemics.
Thermonectus marmoratus is a relatively colorful North American species of diving beetle known by the common names sunburst diving beetle and spotted diving beetle. The behavior of this diving beetle has been compared to a scuba diver, since it carries with it a bubble of air as it dives down into the water. The beetle has recently become notable when it was discovered that its aquatic larval stage is the first ever recorded use of bifocal technology in the animal world. The beetle uses in its principal eyes two retinas and two distinct focal planes that are substantially separated, in the manner of bifocals to switch their vision from up-close to distance, for easy and efficient capture of their prey.
Dermestes frischii is a species of beetle found in the Palearctic, including Europe, tropical Africa, the Near East, the Nearctic, North Africa and East Asia. In Europe, it is known from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Corsica, Croatia, the Czech Republic, mainland Denmark, European Turkey, Finland, mainland France, Germany, mainland Greece, Hungary, mainland Italy, Kaliningrad, Moldova, North Macedonia, mainland Norway (doubtful), Poland, Russia, Sardinia, Sicily, Slovakia, mainland Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and Yugoslavia.
Callipogon relictus is a species of longhorn beetle which is mostly found in Korea, but also in China and southern part of Russian Far East. It inhabits mixed and deciduous forests. The population of Callipogon relictus is decreasing due to deforestation and uncontrolled collection, and therefore the species are listed in the Russian Red Book.
Eudicella euthalia is a tropical, east African species of flower beetle in the genus Eudicella, belonging to the subfamily Cetoniidae.
Agriotes sputator is a species of click beetle, commonly known as the common click beetle. The adult beetle is brown and inconspicuous, and the larvae live in the soil and are known as wireworms. They are agricultural pests that devour the roots and underground parts of many crops and other plants.
Carabdytes plantaris is a naturally uncommon species of diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. For over a century, it was known from just a single specimen collected in 1880 "near Dunedin", and doubts were cast on whether it was actually a New Zealand species at all. In 1986, it was rediscovered when several were collected from a roadside pond near Lake Ellesmere. Carabdytes plantaris is now classed as "naturally uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Tillus elongatus is a species of beetle in the Family of checkered beetles Cleridae. It is found in the Palearctic. The “Holz” in the German common name Holzbuntkäfer indicates that these checkered beetles are found in wood. Although Tillus elongatus can reach up to a size of 1 cm long, the beetle is rarely seen by humans, as it primarily resides hidden in the wood of trees. The colouration of the males differs from that of the females.
Habroscelimorpha dorsalis, commonly known as the eastern beach tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Parasyrphus melanderi is a flower fly that is best known as a larval predator on the leaf beetle Chrysomela aeneicollis in the Sierra Nevada range of California.
Neocalaphodius moestus, is a species of dung beetle found throughout the countries in Afrotropical, Palaearctic and Indian subcontinent.
Hydrovatus lyratus, is a species of predaceous diving beetle widespread in South Asia, South East Asia and Australian region.
Laccoptera (Laccopteroidea) quatuordecimnotata, is a species of leaf beetle native to India, and Sri Lanka.
Meracantha contracta is a species of darkling beetle found in North America.