Numbers
8 species in California, incl.
californicus, and
ellipticus (see Evans & Hogue;
(2))
Identification
Uniform in appearance. Usually smooth, black, and shiny. Sometimes brown or yellow, some species patterned. Antennae short, often concealed. Body generally oval or elliptical.
Upper portion of body is strongly arched (somewhat less in
californicus). Backward-pointing keel, or spine seen below
(2), as seen in these photos:
and
Range
Distributed over much of North America.
T. ellipticus occurs throughout the western states
(2).
T. lateralis can be commonly found from Canada to FL, and west to the Rockies
(3) Habitat
Aquatic or semi-aquatic. One of the first water scavengers to be found in a newly formed body of water, such as filled buckets, washtubs, etc.
Food
Adults: Algae, detritus, fresh mammal dung, humus-rich soil, or decaying leaves.
Larvae may be predacious on mosquito larvae in rice CA fields
(2)See Also
Confused with Predacious Diving Beetles, Minute Moss Beetles, Shining Mold Beetles, and Riffle Beetles.
Print References
Peterson Field Guide to Beetles, Richard E. White
