Hydrophilus palpalis is a species of water scavenger beetles belonging to the Hydrophilinae subfamily.
Some authors have included this species in a distinct genus (Diboloceus), but most of them consider Diboloceus just a subgenus of Hydrophilus (Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) palpalis).
Description and behavior This large species has an oval and moderately convex body. The basic color of the body is dark brown or black. Antennae are 9-segmented. Prosternum is well developed, divided into two lobes. Elytra show ten extremely fine striae. Hind femora are glabrous.Roberto Arce-Pérez y Miguel Ángel Morón The genus Hydrophilus (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilina) in Mexico and Central America Instituto de Ecología, A. C. Hansen, M. 1991 The hydrophilid beetles: phylogeny, classification and a revision of the genera (Coleoptera, Hydrophiloidea) Biologiske skrifter, 40
These beetles are adapted for aquatic life. The first-stage larvae and the adults are excellent swimmers. Adults are mainly vegetarian while the larvae are carnivorous and have a preference for molluscs.Marcia Maria Dosciatti de Oliveira, Juan Antonio Regil Cueto, Cristiano Dalla-Rosa and Leonardo Henrique Matias ASPECTOS DA BIOLOGIA DE Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) palpalis Brullé, 1837 (COLEOPTERA : HYDROPHILIDAE) Universidade de Caxias do Sul - UCS
Distribution and habitat This species can be found in South America in aquatic habitat, especially in rice cultivations (Oryza sativa).Marcia Maria Dosciatti de Oliveira Coleópteros aquáticos da família Hydrophilidae associados à cultura de Arroz irrigadoECO registros
Bibliography Marcia Maria Dosciatti de Oliveira - Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) palpalis Brullé, 1838 (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) – Ciclo vital y datos biogeográficos sobre las otras especies del subgênero Márcia M. D. de Oliveira; Cristiano Dalla-Rosa; Leonardo H. Matias; Juan A. R. Cueto Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) palpalis (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Hydrophilinae): description of the immature stages Iheringia, Sér. Zool. vol.94 no.4 Porto Alegre Dec. 2004
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