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Photo#175381
Crawling Water Beetle - Peltodytes pedunctulatus

Crawling Water Beetle - Peltodytes pedunctulatus
Groton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
April 3, 2008
Size: 3mm

Moved
Moved from Peltodytes.

Peltodytes pedunctulatus
To throw my two cents in. This species has a subhumeral black dash, and can't be seen in dorsal view. You have another one identical to this in dorsal view, that I could place as pedunculatus.

Moved
Moved from Peltodytes muticus.
Thanks Mr. Epler. I guess that this should be placed in the genus page until one is identified from a specimen. Should all the other P. muticus be moved also?

 
The only specimen that really
The only specimen that really appears to be a P. muticus is the one that is point-mounted. I can't be sure of the rest - I'd have to be a pervert and look at their genitalia (if they're males) ... :-)

I think this may be P. sexmac
I think this may be P. sexmaculatus. Note that the spots behind the coalescent median blotches are linear, not scattered ("confused"). BUT I would have to see the male genitalia to be sure.

I would not suggest using "D&A" to identify any water beetles.

Thanks Tim
I'm finding this to be a common species. There were about 20 that I found along with this one while sweeping a net in the water.

 
fun too,
In High School I managed to capture their entire ecosystem in a one gallon pickle jar, which was then sealed. The plant/animal system stayed in balance for over a year, and these beetles were the most exciting part, as they wiggled up for air, then back down again to the mud. Fun! (I should try it again sometime)

keys to P. muticus
keys to P. muticus easily from D&A.

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