Dineutus hornii

Roberts, 1895

whirligig beetle

Dineutus hornii is a of in the , distributed across North America including Canada (Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia) and presumably the United States. Whirligig beetles in the Dineutus are among the largest members of the family, characterized by their distinctive surface-dwelling and on calm water. Like other gyrinids, they possess divided adapted for simultaneous vision above and below the water surface, and pygidial glands that produce defensive secretions.

Dineutus hornii 2 by Grey T. Gustafson and Kelly B. Miller. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Dineutus hornii range map by Grey T. Gustafson, Kelly B. Miller. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Dineutus hornii by Grey T. Gustafson and Kelly B. Miller. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dineutus hornii: /dɪˈnjuːtəs ˈhɔːrni/

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Identification

Members of the Dineutus can be distinguished from the smaller genus Gyrinus by their larger size (typically 10-12 mm), rounded elytral , and concealed . -level identification within Dineutus requires examination of characters, particularly leg coloration and male . Dineutus hornii was described by Roberts in 1895, but specific diagnostic features distinguishing it from such as D. discolor, D. ciliatus, and D. emarginatus are not documented in the available sources.

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Habitat

Aquatic with calm, clear water; associated with rivers, streams, and sheltered pools. Based on observations of , likely occupies surface waters of freshwater systems with gravel or rocky substrates.

Distribution

North America; recorded from Canada (Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia) and presumably present in the United States given the broad North distribution cited.

Similar Taxa

  • Dineutus discolorSimilar large size and rounded elytral ; distinguished by coloration and male
  • Dineutus ciliatusSimilar ; D. ciliatus has dark legs while D. emarginatus has orange legs, providing a useful character for distinguishing some
  • Dineutus emarginatusSimilar size and ; distinguished by orange legs (versus dark legs in D. ciliatus)
  • Gyrinus spp.Smaller with exposed and more pointed elytral ; Dineutus are larger with concealed scutellum

More Details

Taxonomic note

The specific epithet 'hornii' honors George Henry Horn (1840-1897), a prominent who described numerous in the late 19th century.

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Sources and further reading