Description and chaetotaxic analysis of the larval instars of Hydrocanthus debilis Sharp, 1882 (Coleoptera: Noteridae)

All larval instars of the burrowing water beetle species Hydrocanthus debilis Sharp, 1882 are described and illustrated, including morphometric and chaetotaxic analyses of the cephalic capsule, head appendages, legs, last abdominal segment, and urogomphus. Larvae of this species have many small dark dorsal maculae on the body, which easily distinguishes it from other known species of the genus except H. socius Sahlberg, 1884. Larvae of H. debilis can easily be separated from those of H. socius by their smaller size, the length of parietal seta PA13 relative to seta PA14, and the relative distance between egg bursters.

Automated summary

This study describes and illustrates all larval instars of Hydrocanthus debilis, including morphometric and chaetotaxic analyses. The larvae of this species have small dark dorsal maculae, which distinguishes them from other known species of the genus. They can be easily differentiated from larvae of H. socius by their smaller size, the length of parietal seta PA13 relative to seta PA14, and the relative distance between egg bursters.