Meladema coriacea

Meladema coriacea is a species of beetles belonging to the family Dytiscidae.

Meladema coriacea
Meladema coriacea. Museum specimen
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Dytiscidae
Genus:	Meladema
Species:	M. coriacea
Binomial name
Meladema coriacea Laporte 1835

Description

Illustration of M. coriacea from Calwer's Käferbuch

Meladema coriacea can reach a length of about 20–22 millimetres (0.79–0.87 in). The color of the body is shiny black. These water beetles have oval, flattened streamlined bodies adapted for aquatic life. Elytra have short curved striae. Antennae are reddish, and the legs are brown. The hindlegs are adapted for propelling this insect in the water. Adults can be found from April to September.

Habitat

This species lives in streams, rivers and ponds.

Distribution

This species is present in Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Near East and North Africa.

References

• Biolib
• Fauna europaea
• Entomoland