Rediscovery of the New Zealand diving beetle Rhantus plantaris Sharp, and notes on the south west Australian R. simulans Regimbart, with an identification key (Coleoptera : Dytiscidae)
M. Balke et al., Rediscovery of the New Zealand diving beetle Rhantus plantaris Sharp, and notes on the south west Australian R. simulans Regimbart, with an identification key (Coleoptera : Dytiscidae), NZ J ZOOLOG, 27(3), 2000, pp. 223-227
The New Zealand diving beetle Rhantus plantaris Sharp, 1882 (Coleoptera: Dy
tiscidae), although comparatively large (10.0-10.5 mm), has not been report
ed since its description. Until this publication, only the male holotype wa
s known. It has been questioned whether this species was a part of the New
Zealand fauna. The rediscovery of the species is reported, based on a small
series collected from near Christchurch. The specimens were taken from a r
oadside pond at about sea level. Collection details and distributional note
s are given for the rare south western Australian species Rhantus simulans
Regimbart, 1908 which appears to be a peatland swamp specialist. An illustr
ated key to the New Zealand and Australian Rhantus species is included.