Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Thermonectus marmoratus (Gray)
Orig. Comb: Hydaticus marmoratus Gray, 1832 (Nilsson 2001)
Syn: Thermonetus, Thermonectes (spelling)
Syn: Acilius maculatus LeConte, 1854
Explanation of Names
marmoratus (G). 'marble; sparkle, glisten'
(1) Range
s. CA to c. TX / s. Mex. -
Map (2)(3)(4)Habitat
Prefers pool habitats in temporary or intermittent streams (Velasco and Millan 1998)
Food
Eats dead organisms found on the surface film or the bottom, engulfing small items and chewing large ones (Velasco and Millan 1998)
Remarks
Ejects a milky fluid from its prothoracic defensive glands when disturbed, containing a mixture of steroid compounds, presumably as a deterrent to fish predators (Meinwald et al. 1998). The main steroid compound in the defensive secretion is a novel compound called "Mirasorvone"; named for the actress Mira Sorvino, who "as Dr. Susan Tyler in the motion picture Mimic, successfully confronted the ultimate insect challenge" (Meinwald et al. 1998)
Print References
Meinwald, J., Q. Huang, J. Vrkoč, K.B. Herath, Z-C. Yang, F. Schröder, A.B. Attygalle, V.K. Iyengar, R.C. Morgan, and T. Eisner 1998. Mirasorvone: A masked 20-ketopregnane from the defensive secretion of a diving beetle (Thermonectus marmoratus). Proc Natl Acad Sci. 95(6): 2733–2737.
Morgan, R.C. 1992a. Natural History, Captive Management and Display of the Sunburst Diving Beetle Thermonectus marmoratus. AAZPA/CAZPA Annual Conference Proceedings. pp. 457-464.
Morgan, R.C. 1992b. Culture Corner: Sunburst Diving Beetles: Living Jewels Brighten Rippling Waters. Backyard BUGwatching. 14: 4-10.
Morgan R.C. 1995. Invertebrates in Captivity Conference Proceedings. Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute, Tucson, AZ. pp. 50–57.
Morgan, R.C. 1998. Windows on the Water World. Backyard BUGwatching Special Issue #1. pp. 4-6.
Nilsson, A.N. 2001. World Catalogue of Insects. Vol. 3: Dytiscidae (Coleoptera). Apollo Books. Stenstrup, Denmark. 395 pp.
Full Text
Salvatore, D. & R.C. Morgan. 1992. Take A Closer Look: Sunburst Diving Beetle. Backyard BUGwatching. 14: 10.
Velasco, J. and A. Millan. 1998. Feedings habits of two large insects from a desert stream: Abedus herberti (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) and Thermonectus marmoratus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). Aquatic Insects 20(2): 85-96.
