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Photo#9650
Giant Water Scavenger Beetle - Hydrophilus ovatus

Giant Water Scavenger Beetle - Hydrophilus ovatus
Durham County, North Carolina, USA
June 11, 2004
Size: 32 mm
Placed in a dish for photography. (Photo previously mislabeled as Hydrochara.)

Image updated 8/5/20.

Images of this individual: tag all
Giant Water Scavenger Beetle - Hydrophilus ovatus Giant Water Scavenger Beetle - Hydrophilus ovatus Giant Water Scavenger Beetle - Hydrophilus ovatus Giant Water Scavenger Beetle - Hydrophilus ovatus

Mixed series of photos...some not Hydrochara
While some of these photos are indeed Hydrochara, some are actually of another genus, Hydrophilus (specifically Hydrophilus ovatus, which is sometimes called Dibolocelus ovatus in older classifications). This one you can tell by the general shape, which is hump-backed and the size and robustness of the legs. The picture with the yellow background is a Hydrochara..the two dorsal shots with the larger beetle floating in the water with it's legs out are Hydrophilus.

 
Thanks, checking!
In case you read my earlier comment (which I revised), I am going back and checking my original photos, where the sequences are more clear--I think you are correct, I was looking at two different beetles!

(Photos now reassigned to correct genera.)

Many thanks for the quality control.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

 
Stand by--checking original photos
Ah well, I may have to really be wearing orthopedic shoes on this one. I'm going through the original photos, checking the sequences.

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