Stenus laccophilus
Casey, 1884
Stenus laccophilus is a rove beetle in the Steninae, first described by Casey in 1884. Members of this possess specialized hunting adaptations including the ability to eject mouthparts using blood pressure to capture prey. The occurs across northern North America including Canada and the northern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Stenus laccophilus: //ˈstiː.nəs læˈkɒ.fɪ.ləs//
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Identification
Stenus can be distinguished from other rove beetles by their elongated with paraglossae bearing adhesive secretions used in prey capture. Specific identification of S. laccophilus requires examination of genitalic and other subtle morphological characters; the species name 'laccophilus' (meaning 'lake-loving') suggests association with aquatic or semi-aquatic .
Habitat
The specific epithet 'laccophilus' indicates affinity for lake environments. Based on documented preferences of congeneric , likely occurs in moist habitats near freshwater bodies including lake margins, shorelines, and associated riparian zones.
Distribution
Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Labrador, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan) and USA (Alaska, California, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming).
Behavior
Like other Stenus , has been observed to use a specialized hunting technique involving ejection of the using blood pressure. The paraglossae exude adhesive secretions that adhere to prey items such as small .
Ecological Role
of small including and other microarthropods in leaf litter and shoreline .
Similar Taxa
- Stenus liupanshanusBoth are Stenus , but S. liupanshanus is known from leaf litter in China and is believed to lack water-gliding ability, whereas S. laccophilus's specific epithet suggests lake-associated habitat.
- Stenus biwenxuaniBoth are Stenus with potential aquatic associations; S. biwenxuani was found on shore in China and is considered a water glider, while S. laccophilus's name suggests similar preference but with North American distribution.
- Dianous speciesBoth are Steninae with water-gliding ability, but Dianous are specialized water gliders with this ability present in all representatives, whereas Stenus species show variable presence of this trait.
More Details
Taxonomic Note
Casey (1884) described this with the epithet 'laccophilus' (lake-loving), indicating the type locality or preferred was associated with a lake environment.