Aquatic-beetle
Guides
Enochrus hamiltoni
Enochrus hamiltoni is a water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, originally described from Florida in 1890. The species has been recorded across much of North America, with recent documentation from Cuba representing the first Caribbean record outside the United States. It inhabits shallow, temporary ponds with muddy substrates and emergent vegetation.
Enochrus pygmaeus pectoralis
Enochrus pygmaeus pectoralis is a subspecies of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae. It belongs to a genus of small aquatic beetles commonly found in lentic and slow-flowing lotic habitats. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the widespread E. pygmaeus species complex. Like other members of the genus, it likely occupies shallow freshwater environments and exhibits the characteristic clubbed antennae and ventral swimming hairs typical of hydrophilid beetles.
Epimetopus thermarum
Epimetopus thermarum is a water beetle in the family Epimetopidae, described by Schwarz and Barber in 1918. It is one of approximately 60 described species in the genus Epimetopus, which are specialized aquatic beetles found in the Americas. The species name "thermarum" (Latin for "of warm springs") suggests an association with thermal or warm-water habitats. Members of this genus are known for their distinctive morphology adapted to aquatic environments.
Eretes
Eretes is a genus of predaceous diving beetles (family Dytiscidae) comprising four recognized species. The genus exhibits considerable morphological variation in size and coloration among and within species, necessitating reliance on male genitalia morphology for species delimitation. Species are distributed across the Afrotropical, Palearctic, and Asian regions.
Eubrianax edwardsii
water penny beetle
Eubrianax edwardsii is a species of water penny beetle in the family Psephenidae, found in North America. Water penny beetles are aquatic insects with flattened, disc-shaped larvae that cling to rocks in streams and rivers. The family Psephenidae is a small group of beetles specialized for life in flowing freshwater habitats.
Gyretes
Gyretes is a genus of whirligig beetles (family Gyrinidae) containing approximately 181 species, primarily distributed in the Neotropics. Adults are aquatic surface-dwelling beetles found in freshwater habitats. The genus is characterized by specific morphological features of the reproductive tracts and immature stages that distinguish it from other gyrinid genera. Larval stages have been described for several species, with distinctive chaetotaxy patterns.
Gyretes iricolor
Gyretes iricolor is a species of whirligig beetle described by Young in 1947. It is one of three genera of Gyrinidae occurring in Missouri and the central United States, alongside Dineutus and Gyrinus. The genus Gyretes has been documented from 64 of 75 Arkansas counties and is considered common throughout the Ozark region. Like other whirligig beetles, members of this genus inhabit the surface film of freshwater bodies.
Gyretes torosus
Gyretes torosus is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. The species was described from North America in 2004. As a member of Gyretes, it belongs to a genus that is common in the Ozark region and eastern North America. Like other whirligig beetles, it is presumed to inhabit the surface of freshwater bodies. The specific epithet 'torosus' refers to a muscular or bulging appearance, likely describing some aspect of the species' morphology.
Gyrinus aeratus
Brass Whirligig Beetle
Gyrinus aeratus is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, commonly known as the Brass Whirligig Beetle. It is found in both North America and Europe, representing a trans-Atlantic distribution pattern. Like other whirligig beetles, it is adapted to life on the water surface where it forms aggregations and exhibits characteristic erratic swimming behavior.
Gyrinus dichrous
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus dichrous is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. It is found in North America, with distribution records from Canada (Nova Scotia, Ontario, Québec) and the United States. Whirligig beetles in the genus Gyrinus are generally smaller than those in the related genus Dineutus, with Gyrinus species typically measuring 5–8 mm in length compared to 10–12 mm for Dineutus. Members of this genus are distinguished by their visible scutellum, unlike Dineutus where the scutellum is concealed.
Gyrinus dubius
Gyrinus dubius is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. The species was described by Wallis in 1926 and is native to North America, with records from Canada including Labrador, Manitoba, and Newfoundland. As a member of the Gyrinidae, it shares the family's characteristic surface-dwelling aquatic lifestyle and rapid, erratic swimming behavior.
Gyrinus latilimbus
Gyrinus latilimbus is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, described by Fall in 1922. As a member of the genus Gyrinus, it belongs to the smaller of the two genera of whirligig beetles found in North America. Whirligig beetles are highly specialized aquatic insects that inhabit the water surface film, where they exhibit characteristic rapid, erratic circling movements in aggregations called rafts. The genus Gyrinus is distinguished from the larger genus Dineutus primarily by smaller body size and exposed scutellum.
Gyrinus lecontei
Gyrinus lecontei is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, described by Fall in 1922. It occurs in North America, with distribution records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario) and presumably the United States. Like other members of the genus Gyrinus, it is expected to inhabit the surface of freshwater bodies. Specific details about its ecology and behavior remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Gyrinus marginellus
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus marginellus is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, described by Fall in 1922. It occurs in North America, with records from Canada (Québec) and the United States. Like other members of the genus Gyrinus, it is an aquatic beetle that lives on the water surface. The species is part of a taxonomically challenging group where identification often requires examination of ventral characters.
Gyrinus pachysomus
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus pachysomus is a species of whirligig beetle described by Fall in 1922. Like other members of the family Gyrinidae, this species inhabits the surface of freshwater bodies where it exhibits characteristic erratic, circling swimming behavior. The species is known from North America, though specific details regarding its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature.
Gyrinus parcus
Gyrinus parcus is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. It has a broad geographic distribution spanning Central America, North America, and South America. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1834 and includes six recognized subspecies. Whirligig beetles in the genus Gyrinus are small, surface-dwelling aquatic beetles known for their rapid, erratic swimming behavior and tendency to form aggregations on still or slow-moving water.
Haideoporus texanus
Edwards Aquifer Diving Beetle
Haideoporus texanus is a stygobiontic diving beetle endemic to the Edwards Aquifer of Texas. It is a subterranean aquatic species adapted to life in groundwater systems, with larvae possessing characteristic morphological features including a nasale and absence of primary pores MXd and LAc. The species was described in 1976 and represents an independently evolved lineage within the subfamily Hydroporinae.
Haliplus apicalis
Haliplus apicalis is a species of water beetle in the family Haliplidae, first described by Thomson in 1868. It is distributed across the British Isles and northwestern Europe, with records also indicating presence in North America. The species belongs to a genus of small aquatic beetles commonly known as crawling water beetles.
Haliplus cribrarius
Haliplus cribrarius is a species of crawling water beetle in the family Haliplidae. The species was described by LeConte in 1850 and occurs in North America. Records indicate presence in western Canada including Alberta and British Columbia. Like other haliplids, it is associated with aquatic environments.
Haliplus deceptus
Haliplus deceptus is a species of crawling water beetle in the family Haliplidae. The species was described by Matheson in 1912. Records indicate presence in North America and Middle America. As with other members of the genus Haliplus, this species is associated with aquatic environments.
Haliplus fulvus
Haliplus fulvus is a species of crawling water beetle in the family Haliplidae, widely distributed across Europe and North America. Adults are small beetles measuring 3.8–4.2 mm in length. The species is associated with aquatic habitats and has a holarctic distribution pattern.
Haliplus leopardus
Haliplus leopardus is a crawling water beetle in the family Haliplidae, first described by Roberts in 1913. The species is recorded from eastern North America, with confirmed observations in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. As a member of Haliplidae, it inhabits freshwater environments. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only three records in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Haliplus nitens
Disjunct Crawling Water Beetle
Haliplus nitens is a species of crawling water beetle in the family Haliplidae, first described by LeConte in 1850. It is commonly known as the Disjunct Crawling Water Beetle. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Canada including Ontario and the Northwest Territories. As a member of the Haliplidae family, it is adapted to aquatic habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in available sources.
Haliplus pantherinus
Haliplus pantherinus is a species of crawling water beetle in the family Haliplidae. It is known from North America, with confirmed records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia) and the United States. As a member of Haliplidae, it is associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The species was described by Aubé in 1838.
Haliplus robertsi
crawling water beetle
Haliplus robertsi is a species of crawling water beetle in the family Haliplidae, first described by Zimmermann in 1924. The species is currently accepted as valid, though some taxonomic sources have historically treated it as a synonym of Haliplus (Haliplus) immaculicollis. As a member of the Haliplidae, it belongs to a family of small aquatic beetles commonly found in freshwater habitats. Like other haliplids, it is adapted to life in aquatic environments with specialized morphological features.
Haliplus stagninus
Haliplus stagninus is a species of crawling water beetle in the family Haliplidae, described by Leech in 1948. It is known from North America, with records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. As a member of Haliplidae, it belongs to a family of small aquatic beetles commonly associated with standing or slow-moving freshwater habitats. The species is poorly documented in public sources, with minimal observational data available.
Haliplus subguttatus
Haliplus subguttatus is a species of crawling water beetle in the family Haliplidae, described by Roberts in 1913. Its taxonomic status is disputed between sources: Catalogue of Life lists it as a synonym, while GBIF treats it as accepted. The species belongs to the subgenus Liaphlus within Haliplus. Haliplidae beetles are small, aquatic adephagans found in freshwater habitats.
Haliplus tumidus
Haliplus tumidus is a species of crawling water beetle first described by LeConte in 1880. It belongs to the family Haliplidae, a group of small aquatic beetles commonly found in shallow freshwater habitats. The species has been documented in the Caribbean, Middle America, and North America based on distribution records.
Helichus basalis
Long-toed water beetle
Helichus basalis is a species of long-toed water beetle in the family Dryopidae. It is distributed across North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Québec) and the United States. As a member of Dryopidae, it is associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The species was described by LeConte in 1852.
Helichus striatus
long-toed water beetle
Helichus striatus is a species of long-toed water beetle in the family Dryopidae. It inhabits cool, flowing water environments where it occurs on debris and beneath rocks. The species has a broad North American distribution spanning from eastern Canada to the Pacific coast. Two subspecies are recognized: Helichus striatus striatus and Helichus striatus foveatus.
Helichus suturalis
long-toed water beetle
Helichus suturalis is a species of long-toed water beetle in the family Dryopidae. It has been recorded from Central America and North America. Like other members of Dryopidae, it is associated with aquatic environments. The species was described by LeConte in 1852.
Helobata larvalis
Pickerelweed Water Beetle
Helobata larvalis is a water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, commonly known as the Pickerelweed Water Beetle. It has a broad distribution across the Americas, occurring from the United States through Central America to South America, including Caribbean islands. The species has been recorded from diverse biomes including the Cerrado of Brazil. As a member of the Acidocerinae subfamily, it inhabits aquatic or semi-aquatic environments.
Helochares maculicollis
Helochares maculicollis is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae. It was described by Mulsant in 1844. The species is found in North America, with distribution records across the eastern and central United States.
Helochares normatus
Helochares normatus is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, first described by LeConte in 1861. It occurs in western North America and Central America, with records from the southwestern United States through Mexico to Costa Rica. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The species is documented through limited but geographically dispersed observations.
Helochares punctatus
Helochares punctatus is a water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, subfamily Acidocerinae. The species is native to the western Palearctic, with records from western Europe (Spain to Denmark), Morocco, and Iran. In the 2020s, it was documented as introduced and established in southwestern British Columbia, Canada, representing a notable range expansion.
Helophorus grandis
Helophorus grandis is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Helophoridae. It has a broad geographic distribution spanning Africa, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species has been introduced to parts of Canada and the United States. It is an aquatic beetle inhabiting standing water habitats.
Helophorus lineatus
Helophorus lineatus is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Helophoridae, distributed across eastern and central North America. It inhabits aquatic and semi-aquatic environments, typically associated with standing or slow-moving waters. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1823 and is one of approximately 180 species in the genus Helophorus.
Helophorus nitiduloides
Speckled Water Scavenger
Helophorus nitiduloides is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Helophoridae, a family containing only the genus Helophorus. The species is found in North America, with records across northern and western regions of the continent. It was described by Orchymont in 1945.
Helophorus oblongulus
Helophorus orientalis
Helophorus orientalis is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Helophoridae. It has a broad geographic distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), North America, and Southern Asia. The species was described by Motschulsky in 1860. Like other members of the genus Helophorus, it is associated with aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats.
Helophorus sibiricus
Helophorus sibiricus is a water scavenger beetle notable for its exceptional longevity as a species. Fossil specimens from the Early Miocene (16-23 million years ago) of western Siberia have been reliably assigned to this extant species, making it one of the longest-documented living insect species. It inhabits standing waters across a broad Holarctic range.
Helophorus tuberculatus
Helophorus tuberculatus is a Holarctic species of water scavenger beetle in the family Helophoridae. It is distributed across northern Europe, Russia, northern Asia, and North America. The species inhabits aquatic environments and is part of a genus known for species-specific pronotal granulation that aids identification. Like other Helophorus species, it is presumed to have terrestrial predaceous larvae.
Hemiosus
Hemiosus is a genus of water scavenger beetles in the family Hydrophilidae, tribe Berosini. The genus was established by Sharp in 1882. Species within this genus are found in the Neotropical region, particularly in the Andes of Colombia. Recent taxonomic work has described new species based on detailed examination of male genitalia and other morphological features.
Hemiosus exilis
Hemiosus exilis is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. It belongs to the tribe Berosini within the subfamily Hydrophilinae. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States (Arizona and Texas) and Mexico. As a member of the genus Hemiosus, it is associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Heterelmis obesa
riffle beetle
Heterelmis obesa is a species of riffle beetle in the family Elmidae, first described by Sharp in 1882. It is one of the most widely distributed species in the genus Heterelmis, occurring across Central America, North America, and South America. The species is recognized as having two subspecies: Heterelmis obesa obesa and Heterelmis obesa plana Hinton, 1936. Like other elmid beetles, it is adapted to aquatic environments with flowing water.
Heterelmis simplex
Heterelmis simplex is a species of riffle beetle (family Elmidae) described by Sharp in 1882. As a member of the genus Heterelmis, it shares characteristics with other riffle beetles including an aquatic lifestyle and dependence on well-oxygenated water. The species has been recorded in the Caribbean, Middle America, and South America. Unlike the well-studied endangered congener Heterelmis comalensis from Texas, detailed biological information for H. simplex appears limited in published sources.
Heterocerus parrotus
Parrot Mud-loving Beetle
Heterocerus parrotus, commonly known as the Parrot Mud-loving Beetle, is a species of beetle in the family Heteroceridae. Members of this family are small, elongate beetles strongly associated with muddy or silty substrates near water. The species is poorly documented, with only three observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Heterosternuta cocheconis
Heterosternuta cocheconis is a small predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. The species was described by Fall in 1917. It has been recorded in eastern North America, including the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Québec. As a member of the subfamily Hydroporinae, it inhabits aquatic environments.
Heterosternuta diversicornis
Heterosternuta diversicornis is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae, first described by Sharp in 1882. It belongs to the subfamily Hydroporinae, a diverse group of small to medium-sized diving beetles. The species is known from North America and has been documented through 79 iNaturalist observations as of the source date.
Hexacylloepus
riffle beetles
Hexacylloepus is a genus of riffle beetles in the family Elmidae, established by Hinton in 1940. The genus contains approximately 19 described species. As with other elmid beetles, members of this genus are associated with aquatic habitats, particularly flowing water systems.