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Photo#207653
Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki

Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki
Louden, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, USA
July 27, 2008
Size: about 9 mm
I was curious to see the feet that can cling so deftly to slimy river rocks.

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Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki Water Penny Beetle - Psephenus herricki

Nice find, Jim.
I think the feet function mainly for locomotion. I read that clinging is mainly accomplished by minute hooks all along the edges of the carapace, that work much as Velcro does.

 
Makes sense.
I've tried and failed to get fine paintbrush bristles under the edge, yet when they want to move this carapace edge seems to glide quickly and easily over the uneven surfaces of the rock. I think the yellowish rim of the carapace is composed of fine setae but I have yet to get enough resolution on it to tell for sure.

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