Les Hydrophilus sont des Hydrophilidae aquatiques homogènes dans leur apparence générale. H. piceus est noirâtre, en ovale allongé, modérément convexe, au contour à peu près continu ; le pronotum sensiblement élargi vers l'arrière ; les élytres avec trois rangées de points pilifères assez fins et dix séries normales de points distinctes apicalement et latéralement mais obsolètes en avant, l'angle sutural épineux ; le prosternum relevé au milieu, l'apophyse métaventrale en forme de longue épine allant au-delà des métacoxae, les ventrites carénés sur toute leur longueur ; le cinquième article des protarses ♂ élargi en triangle à sommet très arrondi.
Détermination :
Assez difficile sur photo d'ensemble si la suture est peu visible.
Espèces proches :
La confusion de H. piceus est possible avec H. pistaceus et aterrimus mais elle disparait après examen de l'angle sutural des élytres, non épineux chez eux.
Période d'observation :
Adulte rencontré à peu près toute l'année.
Biologie-éthologie :
Se développe plutôt en plaine, dans les eaux douces des mares et marais riches en végétation, de préférence en milieu ouvert. Vole activement et vient volontiers aux lumières. L'adulte vit 2 ou 3 ans. La larve est carnassière.
Biogéographie et écologie :
Espèce assez fréquente, connue d'une grande partie de la région paléarctique jusqu'en Asie centrale, Sibérie orientale et Chine ; mentionnée d'Afrique du Nord.
Queney P. et Prévost P. 2021. Clé d'identification des Coléoptères aquatiques de France métropolitaine Myxophaga, Polyphaga Hydrophiloidea (adultes). Tome 1.
The map presents a summary at the 10 x 10 km grid of the observation data for the species transmitted to the SINP. These data have been subjected to validation filters.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Current distribution in metropolitan France
The map presents a reference distribution layer of the species at the scale of departments and marine sectors. The presence and absence data were established by expertise within a network of partners. This reference distribution is used in the validation process of the SINP data at the INPN level.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Certain presence
Corresponds to a report on the basis of at least one observation proved within a period of 10 years (20 years for little-known invertebrates) preceding the year and no presumption of extinction since obtaining the last data nor doubt on reproductive and implemented nature of this population. For migratory species, the presence indicated concerns areas of reproduction.
Probable presence
This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
search of species incomplete but presence of supportive environments;
ecology of the species consistent with the hypothesis of his presence;
the last reliable sighting is older than 10 years compared to the reference date, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [vertebrates, invertebrates and plants well studied (rhopalocera, grasshoppers, dragonflies ...)] ;
the last reliable observation being older than 20 years, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [poorly known taxa: fungus, many invertebrates...].
Probable or certain absence
This point covers the absence, more difficult by nature to demonstrate than presence. This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
intensive but unsuccessful targeted research;
lack of adequate environments;
unobserved species while its presence is easily detected;
unlikely presence for historical or biogeographical reasons.
This status must be assigned to a department in which the presence of the species is casual.
Absence due to a proven extinction
Particular case of absence due to a proven extinction less than a half century ago (older disappearances are treated as "no probable or definite").
No information
In the state of knowledge, we can not comment on the presence or absence in the current department. This is the default status when not comprised in one of the previous categories or whenever there is doubt.
French Version
