Further records for Ochthebius (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) in British Columbia

2007·0.89 MB·English

by  Rex D Kenner

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J.Entomol. Soc. Brit.Columbia 104,December2007 87
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Further records for Ochthebius (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae)
in British Columbia
REX KENNER^
D.
The family Hydraenidae contains small only a single record for this species in Can-
aquatic beetles somewhat misleadingly ada: BC, Agassiz, 07-iii-1931, H.B. Leech
called "minute moss beetles", as only a few (1 specimen, California Academy of Sci-
species are found associated with moss ence, San Francisco, CA). A search of the
(Perkins 2001). Hydraenids are commonly collections of the Canadian National Col-
found on the margins of streams and can lection (Ottawa, ON), the Royal British
reach high densities in appropriate marginal Columbia Museum (Victoria, BC) and the
substrates (Perkins 1976). However, these Spencer Entomological Museum
beetles are found in a wide variety ofhabi- (University of British Columbia, Vancou-
tats and some species, particularly in the ver, BC) (SEM) yielded no additional re-
genus Ochthebius Leach, are typically cords. The two Jericho specimens
found in lentic habitats (Perkins 1980, [CANADA, BC, Vancouver, Jericho Park,
2001). Main Pond, 49°16.26' N 123°1I.70'W, 07-
During an ongoing survey ofthe aquatic xi-2006, R.D. Kenner] have been deposited
insects of Jericho Park, Vancouver, BC inthe SEM.
(Needham and Kenner 2007), the author Four specimens identified only as Och-
collected several hydraenids while sweep- thebius sp. were found in the collection of
ing with an aquatic insect net. Jericho Park the SEM. Three of these are O. kaszabi
is a very popular urban park with a large Janssens, which is widespread in Canada
permanent "main pond" and an ephemeral (Perkins 1980). The remaining specimen
"meadow pond". The main pond is in a [BC, Chilcotin (Riske Creek), Box 20-21
relatively natural state, surrounded by short (now known as Lake Lye (Topping &
grass with trees along one side. It is filled Scudder 1977)), 52°r N I22°29' W, 08-x-
mainly by rainwater and is subject to 1968, G.G.E. Scudder] is O. lecontei Per-
greatly reduced water levels in the summer kins. This species is associated with ponds
months. It supports a large mixed flock of but has an inland distribution extending
waterfowl in winter, with smaller numbers fromwesternUtah andnortheasternNevada
in the summer. Ithas a soft mudbottomand to the southern interior of BC (Perkins
contains large amounts ofdetritus. Parts of 1980). Perkins lists only three Canadian
the west end ofthe pond, where the hydrae- localities for this species: Vernon (type
nid specimens were collected, are domi- locality), Kamloops and Cranbrook. The
natedby dense stands ofTypha sp. although physical and chemical characteristics of
there are still significant areas ofopen wa- Lake Lye, a saline lake (conductivity 2900
terexcept in late summer. IiS at 25 °C at the time of the collection),
Two ofthe hydraenids collected in Jeri- are describedin Topping & Scudder (1977).
cho Park are Ochthebius brevipennis Per- I thank the CanaCoU Foundation for
kins. This species is "primarily a pond spe- making my visit to the Canadian National
cies" (Perkins 1980) and is found along the Collection possible and C. Copley for
Pacific coast from northern California to checking the Royal BC Museum collection
southern British Columbia. Perkins lists forpossible records.
' Cowan Vertebrate Museum, Department ofZoology, University ofBritish Columbia, Vancouver, BC
V6T 1Z4
88 J.Entomol. Soc.Brit.Columbia 104,December2007
REFERENCES
Needham, K.M. and R.D. Kenner. 2007. Interim Report: Jericho Pond Aquatic Insect Survey (March
2006-March2007). Discovery(VancouverNaturalHistorySociety)36(1):44^9.
Perkins,P.D. 1976. Psammophilousaquaticbeetles insouthernCalifornia: A studyofmicrohabitatprefer-
ences with notes onresponses to stream alteration (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae andHydrophilidae). Col-
eopteristsBulletin30: 309-324.
Perkins, P.D. 1980. Aquaticbeetles ofthe familyHydraenidae in the Western Hemisphere: classification,
biogeographyandinferredphylogeny(Insecta: Coleoptera). QuaestionesEntomologicae 16: 3-554.
Perkins, P.D. 2001. HydraenidaeMulsant, 1844,pp. 228-232. In R.H. Amett,Jr. andM.C. Thomas(eds.),
American Beetles. Vol. 1: Archostemata, Myxophaga, Adephaga, Polyphaga: Staphyliniformia. CRC
Press,NewYork,NY.
Topping, M.S. andG.G.E. Scudder. 1977. Some physical and chemical features ofsaline lakes in central
BritishColumbia. Syesis 10: 145-166.