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Haliplidae of Alberta
Version 1.0 December 2019
Robert Hinchliffe
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
2
Haliplidae of Alberta
by
Robert P. Hinchliffe, BSc
Aquatic Invertebrate Taxonomist
Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute
CW 405, Biological Sciences Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
All figures and photos in this document are copyright ©2019 ABMI
Suggested Citation: Hinchliffe, R. P. 2019. Haliplidae of Alberta (Version 1.0). Alberta Biodiversity
Monitoring Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this document is for the purpose of identification of adult
Haliplidae (Coleoptera) known to occur in Alberta and is not intended to be a taxonomic revision; no
taxonomic or nomenclatural changes are proposed. While every effort has been made to ensure the
accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and associated institutions disclaim any
liability for loss or damage which may occur as a result of reliance on any of this material.
Cover photo: Haliplus cribrarius
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Checklist .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Key to Haliplidae Genera of Alberta ........................................................................................................ 8
Brychius Thomson, 1859 ........................................................................................................................... 10
Brychius hornii Crotch, 1873 .......................................................................................................... 10
Haliplus Latreille, 1802 .............................................................................................................................. 11
Key to Haliplus Species of Alberta ......................................................................................................... 11
Haliplus apicalis C. G. Thomson, 1868 ........................................................................................... 21
Haliplus borealis LeConte, 1850 ..................................................................................................... 22
Haliplus canadensis Wallis, 1933 ................................................................................................... 23
Haliplus columbiensis Wallis, 1933 ................................................................................................ 24
Haliplus cribrarius LeConte, 1950 .................................................................................................. 25
Haliplus fulvus (Fabricius, 1801) .................................................................................................... 26
Haliplus immaculicollis Harris, 1828 .............................................................................................. 27
Haliplus leechi Wallis, 1933 ............................................................................................................ 28
Haliplus longulus LeConte, 1950 .................................................................................................... 29
Haliplus stagninus Leech, 1948 ...................................................................................................... 30
Haliplus vancouverensis Matheson, 1912 ..................................................................................... 31
Peltodytes Régimbart, 1878 ...................................................................................................................... 32
Key to Peltodytes Species of Alberta ..................................................................................................... 32
Peltodytes callosus (LeConte, 1852) .............................................................................................. 34
Peltodytes edentulus (LeConte, 1863) ........................................................................................... 35
Peltodytes tortulosus Roberts, 1913 .............................................................................................. 36
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... 37
References ................................................................................................................................................ 38
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Introduction
The family Haliplidae is a group of small aquatic beetles (Coleoptera) that average 2.5 to 4.9 mm in
length. They are easily recognized by their large metacoxal plates that cover a large portion of the hind
femora and first two or three abdominal segments. Although commonly referred to as crawling water
beetles, members of this family poses long hairs along the tarsi and tibiae that allow them to swim as
effectively as many other aquatic beetles. Most Haliplids are yellowish-tan to reddish-brown, with
varying patterns of darkened maculations on the elytra and pronotum. Rows of punctures on the elytra
can range brown to black, with a few species where the punctures are unpigmented. Two species lack
elytral maculations, the rows of blackened punctures being closely spaced giving them a striped
appearance.
There are 3 genera and 15 species of Haliplidae recorded from Alberta (2 of which I have been unable
to confirm through the literature or collection records). Most frequent shallow, vegetated regions of
ponds, marshes, and wetlands, along with calm shoreline areas of lakes. A few species also inhabit the
slower vegetated regions streams and rivers. Most species appear to have a one-year lifecycle with the
adults being the primary overwintering stage. Mating and egg laying takes place in the spring or early
summer. The larvae go through three instars, feeding mainly on filamentous algae. Pupation takes
place in moist soil along the edge of the waterbody where pupal cells are excavated under rocks, logs,
or debris. The adults also feed on filamentous algae but have also been known to scavenge on detritus
and soft bodied invertebrates when available.
Although Haliplidae larvae can be separated to the genus level using keys in Merritt and Cummins
(2019), species identifications are not possible at this time.
Specimens and/or collection data used in the creation of this document were obtained from the
following institutions:
ABMI = Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, Edmonton, AB.
CNC = Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes, Ottawa, ON.
MZCC = Museum of Zoology, Invertebrate Collection, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.
RAM = Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AB.
RBCM = Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, BC.
SEM = Strickland Entomological Museum, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
WRME = Wallis Roughley Museum of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.
Specimen photos in this document are primarily from ABMI and RAM invertebrate collections housed
at the Royal Alberta Museum, with the exceptions of H. columbiensis (CNC) and H. vancouverensis
(MZCC). All photos were taken by the author.
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Checklist
Table 1: Checklist of Haliplidae of western Canada (following Bousquet et al. 2013). BC – British Columbia; AB – Alberta; SK –
Saskatchewan; MB – Manitoba; YT – Yukon; NT – Northwest Territories; NU – Nunavut.
Brychius Thomson, 1859
B. hornii Crotch, 1873 BC AB SK MB -- -- --
B. albertanus Carr, 1928
Haliplus Latreille, 1802
H. apicalis Thomson, 1868 BC AB SK MB YT NT --
H. strigatus Roberts, 1913
H. borealis LeConte, 1850 -- AB SK MB -- -- --
H. canadensis Wallis, 1933 BC AB SK MB -- NT --
H. columbiensis Wallis, 1933 BC AB1 -- -- -- NT --
H. connexus Matheson, 1912 -- -- -- MB -- -- --
H. cribrarius LeConte, 1950 BC AB SK MB YT NT --
H. distinctus Wallis, 1933 BC -- -- -- -- -- --
H. dorsomaculatus Zimmermann, 1924 BC -- -- -- -- -- --
H. falli Mank, 1940 -- -- -- MB YT NT NU2
H. fulvus (Fabricius, 1801) BC AB SK MB YT3 NT --
H. salinarius Wallis, 1933
H. subguttatus Roberts, 1913
H. immaculicollis Harris, 1828 BC AB SK MB YT NT --
H. robertsi Zimmermann, 1924
H. leechi Wallis, 1933 BC AB SK -- YT NT --
Haliplus salmo Wallis, 1933
H. longulus LeConte, 1950 BC AB SK MB -- NT --
H. nitens LeConte, 1850 -- --- -- -- -- NT --
H. stagninus Leech, 1949 BC AB SK MB YT NT --
H. ungularis Wallis, 1933 BC -- -- -- -- -- --
H. vancouverensis Matheson, 1912 BC AB1 -- -- -- -- --
Peltodytes Régimbart, 1879
P. callosus (LeConte, 1852) BC AB SK -- -- -- --
P. edentulus (LeConte, 1863) BC AB SK MB -- -- --
P. simplex (LeConte, 1852) BC -- SK4 -- -- -- --
P. tortulosus Roberts, 1913 BC AB SK MB -- -- --
1 – I have not been able to verify this record through specimen collections or literature.
2 – Record added from JBWM.
3 – Record added from RBCM (as H. subguttatus).
4 – Record added from Vondel 2014.
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Figure 1: Dorsal view of Haliplus immaculicollis.
Figure 2: Ventral view of Haliplus immaculicollis.
vertex of head
elytron
medial blotch
sutural stripe
pronotal plicae
width
pronotum
lateral blotches
length
maxillary palp
prosternal process
femur
tibia
tarsal segments
labial palp
metepisternum
epipleuron
metacoxal plate
abdominal sternites
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Figure 3: Protarsi of Haliplus stagninus (top) and Haliplus cribrarius (bottom). Male and female Haliplidae can be
separated by the presence or absence of modified hairs on the posterior edge of the first three protarsal
segments.
Figure 4: Male reproductive structures of Haliplus leechi.
Female
Male
Female
Male
setal fringe
left paramere
aedeagus
right paramere
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Key to Haliplidae Genera of Alberta
1 Sides of pronotum more or less parallel; epipleuron visible almost to the apex of the
abdomen........................................................................................................................... Brychius
1’ Sides of pronotum diverging towards base; epipleuron not, or barely visible along edge of apical
abdominal segments..................................................................................................................... 2
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2(1’) Distal article of maxillary palp as long as or longer than penultimate segment; two dark areas
present at base of pronotum......................................................................................... Peltodytes
2’ Distal article of maxillary palp shorter and narrower than penultimate segment; dark areas at
base of pronotum absent (but dark punctures may be present)...................................... Haliplus
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Brychius Thomson, 1859
There is currently only one species of Brychius know from Alberta, Brychius hornii Crotch, 1873.
Brychius hornii Crotch, 1873
Brychius albertanus Carr, 1928
Description: Length 3.0 to 3.8 mm; yellow/brown to brown; vertex of head sometimes with a slightly
rufous band along the base; pronotum immaculate, sides nearly parallel with two impressed, long
plicae; elytra with rows of darkened punctures, maculations generally absent but may have faint to
prominent blotches at the humeral angle, median-lateral and/or apicolateral areas; apex of elytra
somewhat acute; aedeagus broadly curved, broadly expanded and blunt at the tip.
ABMI Site Records: Brychius hornii is found in lotic habitats and therefore has not been detected in any
ABMI wetland samples.
Distribution: In North American the range of B. hornii extends from Manitoba to British Columbia, and
south as far as Nevada, Utah, and Colorado (Mousseau 2004). There are also sparse collection records
from Quebec and California (Mousseau 2004, Bousquet et al. 2013).
Notes: Mousseau (2004) has reported that the elytral markings of B. hornii can be variable and may at
times appear similar to that of the two other North American species, B. hungerfordi Spangler, and B.
pacificus Carr. If in doubt, consult keys in Mousseau (2004).
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Haliplus Latreille, 1802
Key to Haliplus Species of Alberta
1 Pronotum with two basal pronotal plicae (sometime difficult to see)......................................... 2
1’ Pronotum with basal pronotal plicae absent................................................................................ 5
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2(1) Elytra with one or more dark maculations (sometimes indistinct)............................................... 3
2’ Elytra with maculation absent, darkening limited to rows of serial punctures............................ 4
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3(2) Elytral maculations consisting of six lateral blotches (sometimes light and indistinct) around a
diffuse central blotch (central blotch may be faint or absent)...................Haliplus immaculicollis
3’ Elytral maculation consists of a diffuse postmedial central blotch and weak postmedial lateral
blotch...................................................................................................................Haliplus longulus
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4(2’) Male aedeagus with subapical angle near tip; females lacking micro-sculpture on elytra (making
it look glossy) ....................................................................................................Haliplus stagninus
4’ Male aedeagus more evenly curved, without subapical angle; females with micro-sculpture on
elytra (making it look dull) ...................................................................................Haliplus apicalis
Male
Female
Male
Female
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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5(1’) Pronotum with anterior black or dark brown marking present (do not mistake darkened vertex
of head for marking on pronotum); elytra maculations generally confined between two striae
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
5’ Pronotum with anterior marking absent, but pronotum sometimes weakly infuscate on anterior
margin or in central region (do not mistake darkened vertex of head for marking on pronotum);
elytra maculations variable or absent.......................................................................................... 7
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6(5) Length 3.5 to 4.2 mm; aedeagus with a somewhat acute bend at midpoint; punctures on elytra
and pronotum slightly finer........................................................................... Haliplus canadensis
6’ Length 4.3 to 5.0 mm; aedeagus more broadly rounded; punctures on elytra and pronotum
more coarse...................................................................................................... Haliplus cribrarius
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7(5’) Apex of elytra strongly sinuate; length 2.5 to 3.1 mm; distinct maculations consisting of six
lateral spots and two broken medial spots......................................................... Haliplus borealis
7’ Apex of elytra barely or not sinuate; length greater than 3.2 mm; maculations weak, absent or
generally confined between two striae........................................................................................ 8
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8(7’) Punctures on elytra not darkened at all (i.e. same as base color), or at most only slightly rufous
due to thicker cuticle at punctures as opposed to pigmentation............ Haliplus vancouverensis
8’ Punctures on elytra darkened (brownish or black)……………………………........................................ 9
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9(8’) Basal pronotal punctures larger and generally not darkened at all, or at most faintly darkened;
punctures on head and anterior pronotum fine and sparse; 3-4 faint maculations on each elytra
generally confined between two striae……………………………………...……………. Haliplus columbiensis
9’ Basal pronotal punctures darkened (brownish or black); punctures on head and anterior
pronotum more coarse; maculations either more extensive or less extensive than above...... 10
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10(9’) Elytra with distinctive elongate maculation pattern (may be faint on some specimens)......
.........................................................................................................................Haliplus fulvus
10’ Elytra maculations absent or limited to one or two indistinct markings………....….. Haliplus leechi
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Haliplus apicalis C. G. Thomson, 1868
Haliplus strigatus Roberts, 1913
Description: Length 2.8 to 3.3 mm; yellow/brown to light brown; vertex of head slightly rufous with
punctures becoming more coarse in basal third and sometimes slightly darkened; pronotum
immaculate; basal pronotal plicae present, ≥ ¼ the length of the pronotum; elytra without maculations,
darkening limited to rows of serial punctures and sporadic interval punctures; sutural stripe runs the
full length of elytra; female elytra with fine sculpting giving it a dull appearance, male elytra smooth
and shiny; aedeagus without subapical angulation.
ABMI Site Records: H. apicalis is most common
in the Parkland and Grassland ecoregions, with a
few sporadic collections from the northern
Boreal and Foothills regions.
Distribution: Its North American range extends
from British Columbia east to Manitoba
(Bousquet et al. 2013, ABMI, CNC, JBWM, and
SEM), and as far south as Wyoming (Wallis
1933). There are a few collection records from
as far north as the Yukon and Northwest
Territories (Bousquet et al. 2013, CNC, JBWM,
and RBCM).
Notes: Haliplus apicalis is most often confused
with H. stagninus. H. apicalis has a smaller
average size than H. stagninus (~3.0 mm vs. 3.4
mm), the male aedeagus has a subapical angle,
and the female elytra is smooth and shiny.
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Haliplus borealis LeConte, 1850
Description: Length 2.5 to 3.1 mm; yellow/brown; vertex of head slightly rufous with punctures
becoming more coarse and sometimes darkened in basal half; pronotum immaculate, posterior
punctures sometimes slightly darkened; basal pronotal plicae absent; elytra with maculations
consisting of a distinct pattern of six lateral spots surrounding a diffuse central blotch; sutural stripe
runs the full length of elytra; apical edge of elytra strongly sinuate; aedeagus long and broadly
rounded, narrowing slightly at the tip.
ABMI Site Records: H. borealis has not been collected from any ABMI wetland sites to date. It is
possible that the time of collection (late June through July) is at a time when the adults of this species
are not present. Hilsenhoff and Bringham (1978) collected most adults in August with very few being
collected early in the summer.
Distribution: Its North American range extends from Alberta east to Nova Scotia (Bousquet et al. 2013,
CNC, JBWM, RAM, and SEM), and as far south as Indiana, and west to Montana (Gundersen & Otremba
1988).
Notes: Haliplus borealis may be confused with H. immaculicollis as the two species are of similar size
and have a similar pattern on the elytra, but pronotal plicae are present in H. immaculicollis and the
apical margin of the elytra is only weakly sinuate.
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Haliplus canadensis Wallis, 1933
Description: Length 3.5 to 4.2 mm; yellow/brown; vertex of head with a darkened area on basal ¼ that
includes darker punctures; basal pronotal plicae absent; pronotum with dark area on leading edge
(ranging from black to brown), punctures near leading edge somewhat coarse medially becoming
smaller laterally, punctures on basal half coarse and dark; elytra with distinct maculation pattern
consisting of short blotches that are generally confined between two striae, blotches may be light and
less pronounced in some specimens; sutural stripe runs the full length of elytra; apex of elytra with
triangular dark spot; aedeagus with a somewhat acute bend at the interior midpoint, shaft of even
width throughout length.
ABMI Site Records: This species has been
collected sporadically across the province.
Distribution: In North American the range of H.
canadensis extends from British Columbia east
to Nova Scotia (Bousquet et al. 2013, ABMI,
CNC, JBWM, and SEM) and as far south as
Colorado (Durfee et al. 2003). There are a few
collection records from as far north as the
Northwest Territories (Bousquet et al. 2013,
CNC).
Notes: Haliplus canadensis is most often
confused with H. cribrarius. The two species
have similar patterns on the elytra but H.
cribrarius is larger, has coarser punctures on
the elytra, and the aedeagus is more evenly
curved. Lighter specimens may also be
confused with H. leechi, but H. leechi will only
have one or two markings on the elytra, the
depression on the metasternum just behind the
mesocoxa is not as pronounced, and the aedeagus becomes more slender in the distal half.
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Haliplus columbiensis Wallis, 1933
Description: Length 3.8 to 3.9 mm; yellow/brown; vertex of head barely darkened if at all, punctures
on head fine and sparse with a few coarse punctures at the vertex; pronotum immaculate, punctures
sparse and fine at anterior edge, a row of coarse punctures at base that may be slightly darkened;
basal pronotal plicae absent; elytra with faint maculations generally confined between two striae (see
pattern in photo); sutural stripe faint, becoming obsolete near base; aedeagus long and only slightly
curved, only slightly narrowed near the tip.
ABMI Site Records: H. columbiensis has not been collected from any ABMI wetland sites to date.
Distribution: Its North American range extends from British Columbia north to the Northwest
Territories, but does not include the Yukon (Bousquet et al. 2013, CNC). Bousquet et al. (2013) also lists
this species as being present in Alberta but I have not been able to verify this in the literature or
specimen collections.
Notes: Haliplus columbiensis could possibly be confused with lighter specimens of H. fulvus, but H.
fulvus will have more extensive and longer maculations.
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Haliplus cribrarius LeConte, 1950
Description: Length 4.4 to 5.0 mm; yellow/brown; vertex of head with a darkened area on basal ¼ that
includes darker punctures; basal pronotal plicae absent; pronotum with dark area on leading edge
(ranging from black to brown), punctures near leading edge somewhat coarse medially becoming
smaller laterally, punctures on basal half coarse and dark; elytra with distinct maculation pattern
consisting of short blotches that are generally confined between two striae, blotches may be light and
less pronounced in some specimens; sutural stripe runs the full length of elytra; apex of elytra with
triangular dark spot; aedeagus more evenly curved on the interior margin.
ABMI Site Records: Haliplus cribrarius has been
collected at couple of dozen ABMI wetlands
sites across Alberta. This species seems to have
a more northern distribution in Alberta with
most collections from the Boreal and Foothills
regions.
Distribution: In North American the range of H.
canadensis extends from British Columbia east
to Nova Scotia (Bousquet et al. 2013, ABMI,
CNC, JBWM, and RBCM) and as far south as
Indiana (Gundersen and Otremba 1988). There
are several collection records from as far north
as the Yukon and Northwest Territories
(Bousquet et al. 2013, CNC, JBWM, and RBCM).
Notes: Haliplus cribrarius is most often confused
with H. canadensis. The two species have similar
patterns on the elytra but H. canadensis is
smaller, has finer punctures on the elytra, and
the aedeagus has a somewhat more acute bend
at the inner midpoint.
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Haliplus fulvus (Fabricius, 1801)
Haliplus salinarius Wallis, 1933
Haliplus subguttatus Roberts, 1913
Description: Length 3.7 to 4.2 mm; yellow/brown to reddish/brown; head yellow/brown to rufous,
darkened in some specimens; pronotum immaculate or with anterior edge slightly darkened, posterior
punctures medium to large and darkened (brown to sometimes black); basal pronotal plicae absent;
elytra with maculations consisting of a distinct pattern of elongate markings generally confined
between two striae; sutural stripe complete in apical half becoming obsolete on basal half, lighter
specimens lacking sutural stripe; aedeagus long and broadly rounded, distinctly narrowing towards the
apex.
ABMI Site Records: H. fulvus has not been collected from any ABMI wetland sites to date.
Distribution: The range of this species extends from British Columbia east to Nova Scotia (Bousquet et
al. 2013, CNC, JBWM, RAM, and SEM), as far north as the Yukon (RBCM) and Northwest Territories
(Bousquet et al. 2013, CNC), and as far south as northern California, Utah, and Illinois (Gundersen &
Otremba 1988).
Notes: The markings on Haliplus fulvus can appear similar to those of H. canadensis and H. cribrarius,
but both of the former species have a distinct dark marking on the medial anterior end of the
pronotum. H. fulvus, H. subguttatus, and H. salinarius were synonymized by Vondel (1991).
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Haliplus immaculicollis Harris, 1828
Haliplus robertsi Zimmermann, 1924
Description: Length 2.5 to 3.1 mm; yellow/brown dorsally, yellow/brown to reddish/brown ventrally;
vertex of head slightly rufous with punctures becoming more coarse and sometimes darkened in basal
half; pronotum immaculate; basal pronotal plicae present, ~ ⅕ the length of the pronotum; elytra with
maculations consisting of a distinct pattern of six lateral spots surrounding a diffuse central blotch,
maculations may be indistinct in some specimens, distinct pattern more apparent when viewed under
low magnification; sutural stripe runs the full length of elytra; apical edge of elytra weakly sinuate;
aedeagus comparatively short and stout with bluntly rounded tip.
ABMI Site Records: H. immaculicollis is the most
common species collected in Alberta. It seems
to be less common in the Rocky Mountain
region but ABMI monitoring activities have been
limited in the mountains thus far.
Distribution: This species is found throughout
North American from British Columbia east to
Nova Scotia (Bousquet et al. 2013, ABMI, CNC,
JBWM, RBCM, and SEM)., as far south as Texas
(Gundersen and Otremba 1988), and north into
the Yukon and Northwest Territories (Bousquet
et al. 2013, CNC, JBWM, and RBCM).
Notes: Haliplus immaculicollis may be confused
with H. borealis as the two species are of similar
size and have a similar pattern on the elytra, but
H. borealis lacks pronotal plicae and the apical
margin of the elytra is clearly sinuate.
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Haliplus leechi Wallis, 1933
Haliplus salmo Wallis, 1933
Description: Length 3.8 to 4.2 mm; yellow/brown; vertex of head with a darkened area on basal ¼ that
includes darker punctures; basal pronotal plicae absent; pronotum with lightly infuscate area on
leading edge, punctures near leading edge somewhat coarse medially becoming smaller laterally,
punctures on basal half coarse and dark; elytra with maculations absent, or at most one or two small
blotches; sutural stripe is narrow and runs the full length of elytra, becoming lighter basally; aedeagus
becoming more slender in the distal half.
ABMI Site Records: There have been just a few
scattered collections of H. leechi from ABMI
wetlands in Alberta.
Distribution: This is a western species whose
range extends from British Columbia east to
Saskatchewan (Bousquet et al. 2013, ABMI,
CNC, JBWM, RBCM, and SEM), north to Alaska,
the Yukon and Northwest Territories
(Bousquet et al. 2013, CNC, JBWM, and
RBCM), and south to California and Colorado
(Durfee et al. 2005).
Notes: Strongly marked Haliplus leechi may be
confused with H. canadensis, but H.
canadensis has a more pronounced depression
on the metasternum just behind the mesocoxa
and the aedeagus is uniform in width.
Kenner (2009) found that H. leechi and H.
salmo were synonyms based on sexual
dimorphism of the main character used to
separate the species.
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Haliplus longulus LeConte, 1950
Description: Length 2.8 to 3.2 mm; yellow/brown to reddish brown; head slightly rufous with
punctures generally of equal size and not darkened, except perhaps punctures a little darker at the
vertex; pronotum immaculate, punctures generally evenly spaced around the periphery and not
darkened; basal pronotal plicae prominent, ≥ ¼ the length of the pronotum, sometimes approaching
⅓ the length; elytra with a diffuse postmedial central maculation and smaller diffuse lateral blotches;
sutural stripe only evident in apical half.
ABMI Site Records: Haliplus longulus has only
been collected from one ABMI wetland site so
far.
Distribution: Its North American range extends
from British Columbia east to Nova Scotia
(Bousquet et al. 2013, ABMI, CNC, JBWM, RAM,
and SEM), and as far south as Colorado (Durfee
et al. 2005). There are a few collection records
from as far north as the Northwest Territories
(Bousquet et al. 2013, CNC).
Notes: Lighter specimens of Haliplus longulus
may be confused with H. stagninus/apicalis,
but H. longulus lacks the continuously darkened
elytral striae and has longer and more
prominent pronotal plicae.
Haliplidae of Alberta, Version 1.0 December 2019
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Haliplus stagninus Leech, 1948
Description: Length 2.8 to 3.3 mm; yellow/brown to light brown; vertex of head slightly rufous with
punctures becoming more coarse in basal third and sometimes slightly darkened; pronotum
immaculate; basal pronotal plicae present, ≥ ¼ the length of the pronotum; elytra without maculations,
darkening limited to rows of serial punctures and sporadic interval punctures; sutural stripe runs the
full length of elytra; elytra smooth and shiny in both males and females; aedeagus with subapical
angulation.
ABMI Site Records: Although not as common,
this species has a similar distribution to H.
apicalis. Both H. stagninus and H. apicalis have
been collected from the same wetland at some
locations.
Distribution: This species has been documented
from British Columbia east to Manitoba and
north into the Yukon and Northwest Territories
(Bousquet et al. 2013, ABMI, CNC, JBWM, RBCM,
and SEM). Note that I was not able to confirm
collection records from the Yukon or Northwest
Territories.
Notes: Haliplus stagninus is most often confused
with H. apicalis. H. apicalis has a larger average
size than H. stagninus (~3.4 mm vs. 3.0 mm), the
male aedeagus lacks a distinct subapical angle,
and micro-sculpting on the female gives the
elytra a dull appearance.
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Haliplus vancouverensis Matheson, 1912
Description: Length 3.9 to 4.3 mm; yellow/brown to reddish/brown; head reddish/brown to rufous;
pronotum immaculate, punctures fine and not darkened at all; basal pronotal plicae absent; elytra
immaculate, punctures not darkened although they may sometimes appear slightly rufous due to a
thicker cuticle at the punctures and not due to pigmentation; sutural stripe not or barely evident;
aedeagus long and broadly rounded with a distinct angular narrowing along the dorsal edge at about
the midpoint, blunt at the apex.
ABMI Site Records: H. vancouverensis has not been collected from any ABMI wetland sites to date.
Distribution: This species has been collected from Vancouver Island, British Columbia (Wallis 1933,
MZCC). Bousquet et al. (2013) lists H. vancouverensis as being present in Alberta but I was unable to
confirm this in the literature or collection records.
Notes: The lack of markings or pigmented punctures on Haliplus vancouverensis is distinctive making it
unlikely to be confused with any other species, except perhaps lighter specimens of H. columbiensis.
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Peltodytes Régimbart, 1878
Key to Peltodytes Species of Alberta
1 Posterior femora dark with a light preapical band; vertex of head with crescent-shaped dark
band.............................................................................................................. Peltodytes edentulus
1’ Posterior femora tan to brown, without distinct preapical band (but knees may be darker);
vertex of head light or dark, but if dark then not distinctly crescent shaped............................... 2
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2(1’) Elytra with two distinct raised tubercles; vertex of head dark........................ Peltodytes callosus
2’ Elytra without raised tubercles; vertex of head light................................... Peltodytes tortulosus
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Peltodytes callosus (LeConte, 1852)
Description: Length 3.5 to 3.9 mm; yellow/brown; head rufous, distinctly darkened at vertex;
pronotum with an irregular row of darkened punctures along anterior edge, two darkened areas and
darkened punctures along base; elytra with two raised tubercles near center of each elytra,
surrounded by maculations; several other darkened areas posterior to tubercles, elongate darkened
spot sometimes present near humeral angle; strial punctures coarse and dark; sutural stripe complete;
aedeagus stout, broadly expanded towards the tip.
ABMI Site Records: Peltodytes callosus has not been collected from any ABMI wetland sites to date.
Distribution: Primarily a western species, its range extends from British Columbia east to Saskatchewan
(Bousquet et al. 2013, CNC, JBWM, RAM, and SEM), south into California and New Mexico, and east to
North Dakota (Gundersen & Otremba 1988).
Notes: Peltodytes callosus is very distinctive and not likely to be confused with any other species.
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Peltodytes edentulus (LeConte, 1863)
Description: Length 3.5 to 4.1 mm; yellow/brown; vertex of head with a distinct crescent shaped dark
band; pronotum with two darkened areas at base, punctures usually not darkened; elytra with a few
distinct, small maculations confined between striae; strial punctures coarse and dark; sutural stripe
complete; metafemur dark with a light sub-apical band; aedeagus moderately broad and somewhat
expanded at apex.
ABMI Site Records: Peltodytes edentulus has
been collected from just a few ABMI wetland
sites in the Grasslands ecoregion.
Distribution: The range of this species extends
from British Columbia east to Prince Edward
Island (Bousquet et al. 2013, CNC, JBWM, RAM,
and SEM), and as far south as Kansas and
Illinois (Gundersen & Otremba 1988).
Notes: Peltodytes edentulus with its distinctive
crescent band on the head and light band on
the metafemur is not likely to be confused with
any other species.
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Peltodytes tortulosus Roberts, 1913
Description: Length 4.0 to 4.4 mm; yellow/brown; vertex of head not darkened but may be slightly
rufous; pronotum with two darkened areas at base, punctures along anterior margin usually not
darkened, those along base large and dark; elytra with a few distinct, small maculations confined
between striae; strial punctures coarse and dark; sutural stripe complete; metafemur reddish/brown
without light band; aedeagus moderately broad and even with subapical angle.
ABMI Site Records: Peltodytes tortulosus has
been collected from several ABMI wetlands in
the Boreal and Parkland ecoregions.
Distribution: The range of this species extends
from British Columbia east to Prince Edward
Island (Bousquet et al. 2013, ABMI, CNC,
JBWM, and SEM), and south into North
Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (Gundersen
& Otremba 1988).
Notes: Peltodytes tortulosus is distinctive and
not likely to be confused with any other
species.
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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank John Swan at the Museum of Zoology, Invertebrate Collection, University of
Calgary, and Karine Savard at the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes in
Ottawa for facilitating loans of Haliplidae specimens. I would also like to thank all of the institutions
listed in the Introduction for taking the time to provide collection data associated with their respective
collections.
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