Agabus canadensis
This record describes Agabus canadensis (species). Recorded family: Dytiscidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Shape broadly oval; Head and pronotum dark brown to almost black; elytron paler brown with basal and lateral margins yellow; A pair of reddish spots present on the frons; Sides of pronotum broadly red to reddish brown (width of the red area is as wide as or wider than that of the anterior corners of the pronotum); legs and palps pale. Ventral hind margin of hind tibia with a row of punctures. A member of the Agabus confinis group, a large and taxonomically difficult species complex; most members of the complex are northern in distribution.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Adephaga
- Family
- Dytiscidae (Predaceous Diving Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Agabinae
- Tribe
- Agabini
- Genus
- Agabus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
A typical species of temporary grassland and parkland ponds.
Geographic Range
Distribution centered in the Northern Great Plains- from Alberta east to Manitoba and Wisconsin, also west to central British Columbia, north to the Yukon and south to Colorado.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Agabus canadensis (Fall 1922)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Agabus canadensis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Agabus canadensis (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh
Frequently Asked Questions About Agabus canadensis
What is Agabus canadensis?
Agabus canadensis is a species in the family Dytiscidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Agabus canadensis?
6.8-7.9 mm
How do you identify Agabus canadensis?
Shape broadly oval; Head and pronotum dark brown to almost black; elytron paler brown with basal and lateral margins yellow; A pair of reddish spots present on the frons; Sides of pronotum broadly red to reddish brown (width of the red area is as wide as or wider than that of the anterior corners of the pronotum); legs and palps pale. Ventral hind margin of hind tibia with a row of punctures.
Where is Agabus canadensis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | A typical species of temporary grassland and parkland ponds. |
| Range | Distribution centered in the Northern Great Plains- from Alberta east to Manitoba and Wisconsin, also west to central British Columbia, north to the Yukon and south to Colorado. |