Dianous nitidulus

LeConte, 1874

Dianous nitidulus is a rove beetle in the Steninae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1874. Members of this are specialized water-gliders, using gland secretions to reduce surface tension and move across water surfaces. The has been recorded across northern North America from Alaska and Canada through the western and northeastern United States.

Dianous nitidulus by (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dianous nitidulus: //ˈdaɪ.ə.nəs nɪˈtɪd.jʊ.ləs//

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Identification

Distinguished from other Steninae by -level traits: all Dianous are proficient water-gliders, whereas Stenus species show variable development of this ability. Specific diagnostic features for D. nitidulus require examination of morphological details not provided in available sources.

Images

Distribution

Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory. United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming.

Behavior

All Dianous are expert water-gliders, producing specialized gland secretions that reduce water surface tension to enable movement across water surfaces.

Similar Taxa

Stenus speciesBoth belong to Steninae and share general body plan, but Stenus exhibit variable water-gliding ability whereas Dianous species are uniformly proficient.
Other Dianous speciesCongeneric share the diagnostic trait of expert water-gliding; specific separation requires detailed morphological examination.