Illustrated Handbook of Aquatic Beetles of China: (Myxophaga, Hydradephaga, Hydrophiloidea) | 中国水生甲虫图鉴 藻食亚目,水生肉食亚目,牙甲总科

Description:

Text Chinese, scientific names in Latin. This handbook describes aquatic beetles (also known as water beetles) as a large group within the order Coleoptera. These beetles are those that live in water at one or more stages of their life cycle, including six categories: True Water Beetles, False Water Beetles, Facultative Water Beetles, Shore Beetles, Parasitic Water Beetles, and Phytophilous Water Beetles. They are an important component of freshwater ecosystems and crucial nodes in the natural freshwater biosphere. Some species have very high water quality requirements, serving as indicator organisms for monitoring water quality or aquatic pollution. There are 13,000-14,000 known species globally, with approximately 900 known in China. Among these, true aquatic beetles are relatively well-understood, numbering over 750 species. Except for a few large water beetles that prey on farmed fish and shrimp fry, only a few species of the genus *Helophorus* are known to cause some damage to wheat seedlings. Most aquatic beetle larvae are predatory, playing a role in controlling mosquito larvae (wrigglers) in aquatic areas; in this respect, most aquatic beetles are beneficial to humans. Large aquatic beetles, with their beautiful shapes, have become important ornamental and collectable insects.

This book is divided into two main parts: a general overview and specific sections. The general overview (including the morphological characteristics section) introduces the concepts, habits, pictures, and relevant information about aquatic beetle classification, facilitating introductory application for beginners. The specific section includes 662 species of true aquatic beetles from my country, including 5 species of Torridincolidae, 1 species of Hydroscaphidae, 1 species of Sphaeriusidae, 50 species (subspecies) of Gyrinidae, 26 species of Haliplidae, 14 species of Noteridae, 2 species of Amphizoidae, 1 species of Aspidytidae, 1 species of Hygrobidae, 215 species of Dytiscidae, 26 species of Helophoridae, 1 species of Epimetopidae, 1 species of Georissidae, 1 species of Hydrochidae, 2 species of Spercheidae, and 315 species of Hydrophilidae. This book covers approximately 80% of the known native Chinese aquatic beetle species. It includes 1530 colour photographs, including 261 morphological images, 899 specimen illustrations, and 370 ecological diagrams, making it of extremely high academic value! The book provides identification keys for each family (superfamily), subfamily, tribe, and genus. Each identifying characteristic is accompanied by a corresponding image, and each species or subspecies is accompanied by a complete dorsal view; some species also include ventral views. An electronic version of the 'List of Aquatic Beetles in China' is also available for easy reference.

The publication of this book is significant for in-depth research, popularisation of science, freshwater environment monitoring, and freshwater ecology research on true aquatic beetles in China, filling the gap in the availability of complete identification data and professional books on aquatic beetles in China.