Copelatus glyphicus
This record describes Copelatus glyphicus (species). Recorded family: Dytiscidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Adult: pale yellowish brown to reddish brown, ventral surface darker. |
| Body | Body with fine, moderately dense punctation dorsally. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with lateral bead complete. Each elytron with short sulcus near margin plus 10 complete sulci. Venter with prosternal process relatively flattened, convex basally. Larva: gray with grayish-brown or yellowish-brown spots on thoracic segments 2 and 3 and a medial longitudinal stripe. |
| Body | Body subdepressed, elongate. |
| Head | Head subquadrate , with 6 ocelli; antennae 4-segmented, cylindrical, segments 1 and 3 subequal in length, 4th shortest about ½ length of 3. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with sides rounded, lateral margin with few long setae. Cerci 1-segmented, about as long as abdominal segment 8. |
| Legs | Legs without swimming hairs. (Spangler 1962) Det. T. Loh, 2010 C. chevrolati is the only other Copelatus species present in Canada |
Wikipedia reference for Copelatus glyphicus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copelatus_glyphicus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Adephaga
- Family
- Dytiscidae (Predaceous Diving Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Copelatinae
- Genus
- Copelatus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
ponds, pools, puddles, hollow trees, leaf litter, and temporary pools; adults come to light
Geographic Range
e. NA (TX-FL-QC-MN)
Seasonal Activity
adults Mar-Aug in NC
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae and adults feed on copepods, ostracods, springtails, and aquatic fly larvae
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Copelatus glyphicus (Say, 1823)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Copelatus glyphicus. 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 Copelatus glyphicus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by cotinis , Mike Quinn , v belov , mpintar
Frequently Asked Questions About Copelatus glyphicus
What is Copelatus glyphicus?
Copelatus glyphicus is a species in the family Dytiscidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Copelatus glyphicus?
adult 4.2-4.6 mm , larva ~7.5 mm
How do you identify Copelatus glyphicus?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Adult: pale yellowish brown to reddish brown, ventral surface darker. |
| Body | Body with fine, moderately dense punctation dorsally. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with lateral bead complete. Each elytron with short sulcus near margin plus 10 complete sulci. Venter with prosternal process relatively flattened, convex basally. Larva: gray with grayish-brown or yellowish-brown spots on thoracic segments 2 and 3 and a medial longitudinal stripe. |
| Body | Body subdepressed, elongate. |
| Head | Head subquadrate , with 6 ocelli; antennae 4-segmented, cylindrical, segments 1 and 3 subequal in length, 4th shortest about ½ length of 3. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with sides rounded, lateral margin with few long setae. Cerci 1-segmented, about as long as abdominal segment 8. |
| Legs | Legs without swimming hairs. (Spangler 1962) Det. T. Loh, 2010 |
Where is Copelatus glyphicus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | ponds, pools, puddles, hollow trees, leaf litter, and temporary pools; adults come to light |
| Range | e. NA (TX-FL-QC-MN) |
What does Copelatus glyphicus eat?
The diet of the Copelatus glyphicus includes larvae and adults feed on copepods, ostracods, springtails, and aquatic fly larvae.
When is Copelatus glyphicus active?
Copelatus glyphicus: seasonal activity - adults Mar-Aug in NC.