Family Hydrophilidae

Abstract

Hydrophilidae Latreille, 1802 (Insecta: Coleoptera) is the most diverse family of Polyphaga with aquatic representatives. Currently, it comprises more than 2840 described species and 169 genera distributed worldwide. The majority of species are found in freshwater habitats such as ponds, pools, dams, wetlands, lakeshores and streams. Other aquatic and semiaquatic species have specialized in peculiar habitats such as brackish water, waterfalls, subterranean streams and phytotelmata. Most adults feed on plant material and decaying organic matter, but they also may prey on snails, small fish, or tadpoles. Larvae are usually predacious and feed on other invertebrates and on some small vertebrates. Representatives of the family lay their eggs wrapped in a silk case with a variety of shapes, sizes, and number of eggs though usually constant for each species. Pupation usually takes place in moist soil. The present chapter is a guide to the understanding of the Neotropical aquatic Hydrophilidae, providing illustrated keys for identification of the genera based on detailed adult and larvae morphology as well as information on limitations in the family studies and proper material preparation and preservation.