Review of the water scavenger beetle genus Helobata Bergroth (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Acidocerinae)

The water scavenger beetle genus Helobata is a member of the subfamily Acidocerinae and currently contains eleven species endemic to the New World, most of which are distributed in South America. Species of Helobata are moderate sized beetles (4.5 – 6.0 mm) with aquatic habits: they cling to the undersides of leaves and debris in streams and marshes. Diagnostic characters include a large clypeus that completely conceals the labrum, pronounced lateral expansions in front of the eyes, which are deeply emarginated anteriorly, the antennae with eight articles, and their elytra which bear ten well-defined rows of serial punctures. This review also includes phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses of the genus, which will lead to elucidating the relationship of Helobata with the larger and more widespread genus Helochares (ca. 128 spp.).