Common name
Water scavenger beetles
Number of species
20
Size Range
2-7mm
Tarsal formula
5-5-5
Images:
Description
One British genus, Helophorus, with 20 species. Small (2-7mm) elongate beetles, with the body outline constricted between the elytra and pronotum, they have long palps, similar in size to their antennae and 7 longitudinal grooves on the coarsely-granulate pronotum. The genus is characteristic of impermanent ponds, often ephemeral pools on grassland, although a few species are associated with dry ground. Dissection of males is very useful for reliable ID.