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Genus Oreodytes

Oreodytes alaskanus Fall - Oreodytes alaskanus - female Preparing for Flight - Oreodytes Dytiscid of sorts... - Oreodytes scitulus Dytiscid of sorts... - Oreodytes scitulus Dytiscidae hydrovatus? - Oreodytes Oreodytes humboldtensis Zimmerman, 1985 - Oreodytes humboldtensis Oreodytes found on snowpack - Oreodytes Oreodytes alaskanus (Fall) - Oreodytes alaskanus - female
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Adephaga
Family Dytiscidae (Predaceous Diving Beetles)
Subfamily Hydroporinae
Tribe Hydroporini
Subtribe Deronectina
Genus Oreodytes
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Recently depopulated, with a number of spp. transferred species to genera Deuteronectes, Hornectes, Nectoporus(1)
Explanation of Names
Oreodytes Seidlitz 1887
Numbers
7 spp. in our area(2), 14 total(3)
our spp.: O. alaskanus, O. laevis, O. snoqualmie, O. scitulus, O. dauricus, O. productotruncatus, O. humboldtensis
Size
2.8-5.4 mm(2)
Identification
Best separated from other genera by a pair of longitudinal creases (comma/bracket-shaped grooves) located on each side of the pronotum relative to the midline (rather sublateral)(2). Most species distinctively patterned with various blotches and stripes.
Range
Transcontinental in Canada; most species are western, many with restricted ranges (e.g. Canadian Rockies, California)(2)
Habitat
Lotic (rivers & mountain streams), also along the shorelines of cold subalpine/oligotrophic lakes, particularly those with plenty of wave action; generally less tolerant of pollution and siltation than most other dytiscids(2)