Appearance
Adult ''T. lateralis'' are distinguished by having uniformly dark elytra and pronotum with light-colored borders.Naming
There are five recognized subspecies of ''Tropisternus lateralis.''⤷ ''T. lateralis humeralis'' Motschulsky, 1850
⤷ ''T. lateralis lateralis''
⤷ ''T. lateralis limbalis''
⤷ ''T. lateralis limbatus''
⤷ ''T. lateralis nimbatus''
Distribution
The range of ''T. lateralis'' includes North America as far north as southern Canada, South America south to northern Chile and Argentina, the Caribbean, and the Galápagos Islands. ''T. lateralis humeralis'' has been accidentally introduced to Oahu.Behavior
''T. lateralis'' exhibits stridulation during stress, calling, and courtship. Eggs are deposited in cases under water, and larvae are fully aquatic. While adults are primarily aquatic, they breathe air and can fly. Adult ''T. lateralis'' avoid colonizing and laying egg cases in ponds that contain fish, which are potential predators of all life stages of the beetles.References:
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