Derallus altus
(LeConte, 1855)
Derallus altus is a water scavenger beetle in the Hydrophilidae, distributed across the Americas from the United States through Central and South America to the Caribbean. As a member of the tribe Berosini, it inhabits aquatic or semi-aquatic environments where it contributes to nutrient cycling through scavenging . The was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1855 and has been recorded in at least 12 U.S. states and multiple countries across the Neotropics.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Derallus altus: /dɛˈralus ˈaltus/
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Images
Habitat
Aquatic and semi-aquatic environments including ponds, marshes, and slow-moving water bodies. As a hydrophilid , it is associated with freshwater systems where organic matter accumulates.
Distribution
United States (Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia), Mexico, Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina.
Behavior
Scavenging on decaying organic matter in aquatic environments.
Ecological Role
Contributes to decomposition and nutrient cycling in freshwater through scavenging activity on organic detritus.