Hydrophilus acuminatus

Hydrophilus acuminatus
Hydrophilus acuminatus from Japan
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Hydrophilidae
Genus: Hydrophilus
Species: H. acuminatus
Binomial name
Hydrophilus acuminatus
Motschulsky, 1853

Hydrophilus acuminatus, common name Dark Diving Beetle, is a species of water scavenger beetles belonging to the Hydrophilidae family.

Description

Hydrophilus acuminatus can reach a length of 33–42 millimetres (1.3–1.7 in). The basic color of the body is dark brown or black. These beetles have streamlined bodies and heads adapted for aquatic life, but they are not powerful swimmers. When they dive they carry a bubble of air under their elytra, while the body is covered by fine hairs trapping a layer of air. Adults are mainly vegetarian, feeding on aquatic plants, but larvae are carnivorous, feeding on tadpoles, snails and small fishes.

Distribution

This species can be found in Russian Far East, China, Japan and Korea.

References

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