California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Aquatic Biological Assement

California Digital Reference Collection Home | Family Level | Level 1 Taxonomy | Level 2 Taxonomy

Jump to:

Ephemeroptera Odonata Plecoptera Hemiptera Megaloptera Neuroptera Trichoptera Lepidoptera Coleoptera Diptera Non-Insects

Heteroceridae Level 1 Level 2

Heteroceridae

Adults:

Larvae:

 

Key Characters (adult)

Variegated mud-loving beetles. Found in riparian mud or sand. Adults can be caught at lights in huge numbers.Generic and species identifications difficult without examining genitalia. Adults with prominent mandibles; legs modified for digging; antennae 9- or 11-segmented, very short, with a 6- or 7-segmented compact club; coloration varies from entirely light brown to spotted and/or striped.
Key Characters (larva)

Larvae found with the adults. Head projecting forward, with prominent mandibles; body widest in the thoracic segments, tapering posteriorly; legs well developed, 5-segmented.
Tolerance unknown
Distribution CA, OR, WA, NV, AZ