The Hydroscaphidae are a small family of water beetles known commonly as skiff beetles. As of 2010, there are 23 species in the family. Several are recently described.

These beetles are small, most under in length. They are tan to brown in color and the elytra are abbreviated, leaving several tapering tergites of the abdomen exposed. The wings are fringed with long setae. The larvae are fusiform, with a wide thorax and a narrowing abdomen. They tolerate a wide range of temperatures; they have been observed in hot springs and in icy snowmelt. The algae are their food source.

  • Hydroscapha <small>LeConte, 1874</small> – United States and Europe.
  • Scaphydra <small>Reichardt, 1973</small> – Brazil.
  • Yara <small>Reichardt & Hinton, 1976</small> – South America and Central America.
  • Confossa <small>Short, Joly, García & Maddison, 2015</small> – South America

References

Further reading

  • Hydroscaphidae. Tree of Life.