
	Description
	Tropisternus lateralis nimbatus is a common, small, water scavenger beetle. It is one of the first water scavenger beetles (family Hydrophilidae) to colonize newly formed bodies of water.

	Size
	5⁄16″ to 7⁄16″ (7.5 to 10.5 mm) long

	Similar Species



	Habitat



	Biology
	Season


	Behavior


	Life Cycle


	Larva Food


	Adult Food
	Algae, animal remains, and other biological material


	Taxonomy
	Order	Coleoptera (beetles)
	Suborder	Polyphaga (water, rove, scarab, long-horned, leaf and snout beetles)
	Infraorder	Staphyliniformia
	Superfamily	Hydrophiloidea (water scavenger and clown beetles)
	Family	Hydrophilidae (water scavenger beetles)
	Subfamily	Hydrophilinae
	Tribe	Hydrophilini
	Genus	Tropisternus
	Species	Tropisternus lateralis

	There are five recognized subspecies of Tropisternus lateralis, four of which occur in North America. Only one subspecies occurs in Minnesota.

	Synonyms
	Hydrophilus lateralis

	Common Names
	This species has no common name. The common name of the family Hydrophilidae is water scavenger beetles, and it is applied here for convenience.


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	Water Scavenger Beetle (Hydrophilidae: Tropisternus lateralis) in Hand Carl Barrentine

	About Apr 26, 2011 Photographed at Grand Forks, North Dakota (26 April 2011).

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Created: 8/31/2021

Last Updated:

water scavenger beetle