Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada

Genus Megasternum

Megasternum obscurum (Marsham) - Megasternum concinnum Megasternum posticatum (Mannerheim) - Megasternum posticatum Megasternum posticatum (Mannerheim) - Megasternum posticatum tiny hydrophilid? - Megasternum posticatum Small beetle - Megasternum posticatum Megasternum  - Megasternum Megasternum obscurum (Marsham) - Megasternum concinnum Megasternum posticatum (Mannerheim) - Megasternum posticatum
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga
No Taxon (Series Staphyliniformia)
Superfamily Hydrophiloidea
Family Hydrophilidae (Water Scavenger Beetles)
Subfamily Sphaeridiinae
Tribe Megasternini
Genus Megasternum
Explanation of Names
Megasternum Mulsant 1844
Numbers
3 spp. (of which one adventive) in our area, 5 total(1)
Identification
Prosternum noncarinate, forming a flat plate in the middle, emarginate posteriorly to receive anterior end of mesosternum. Can be distinguished from Cryptopleurum by the emarginate front tibia, indistinct separation between the frons and clypeus, and glabrous (nonpubescent) dorsal surface.(1)
Habitat
leaf litter etc. rotting organic matter(1)
Works Cited
1.Review of the Family Hydrophilidae of Canada and Alaska
Ales Smetana. 1988. Entomological Society of Canada.