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Family:
Hydrophilidae (water scavenger beetles)
Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra > Arthopoda > Mandibulata > Atelocerata > Panhexapoda > Hexapoda
> Insecta
(insects) > Dicondyla > Pterygota > Metapterygota > Neoptera > Eumetabola >
Holometabola > Coleoptera
(beetles)
> Polyphaga > Superfamily:
Hydrophyloidea
Diverse group of mainly aquatic beetles although some
species occupy terrestrial habitats. They range in size from minute (1 mm
long) to large (50 mm). They are shiny (less water resistance), black or dark
brown and are oval and convex to strongly convex. Adults have long
maxillary palps. Fewer than 100 named species are known from South Africa
but there are probably many undescribed species.
Larvae and adults are predatory while adults of some
species scavenge on decaying organic matter. Terrestrial species live on
decomposing vegetable matter and dung. Adults of some smaller species can be
seen congregating on stones in the water.
Page by Margie Cochrane |
