Uvarus spretus (Sharp, 1882)

Scheers, Kevin & Thomaes, Arno, 2022, A preliminary checklist of the minute diving beetles of Belize (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Bidessini), Belgian Journal of Entomology 125, pp. 1-15 : 12-13

Uvarus spretus (Sharp, 1882)

STUDIED MATERIAL. BELIZE DISTRICT: La Democracia, ditch next to road, 17°21'38,7"N, 88°32'42,1"W, 09. V.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (20 ex.) ; La Democracia, ditch next to road, 17°21'38,7"N, 88°32'42,1"W, 10. V.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (11 ex.); CAYO DISTRICT: Nochuch , small pool on parking lot, 17°12'28,2"N, 88°39'1"W, 09. V.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (3 ex.) ; TOLEDO: Punta Gorda , puddle on road, 16°06'20,3"N, 88°48'29,5"W, 13. V.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (6 ex.) ; Punta Gorda , puddle on road, 16°06'20,3"N, 88°48'29,5"W, 13. V.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (3 ex.) ; Punta Gorda , fishpond, 16°06'24,6"N, 88°48'25,5"W, 13.IV.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (2 ex.) ; Bladen Nature Reserve , pond in forest, 16°32'55,3"N, 88°43'1,7"W, 19.IV.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (1 ex.) ; Punta Gorda , fishpond, 16°06'24,6"N, 88°48'25,5"W, 23.IV.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (57 ex.) ; Punta Gorda , temp. stream in forest, 16°06'37,6"N, 88°49'18,8"W, 25.IV.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (6 ex.) ; Punta Gorda , tyre track puddle, 16°05'24"N, 88°51'6,5"W, 25.IV.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (2 ex.) ; Punta Gorda , small stream, 16°05'37,8"W, 88°50'35,6"W, 25.IV.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (3 ex.) ; Indian Creek, Lake of former Lodge , 16°18'45,1"N, 88°49'31,4"W, 29.IV.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (1 ex.) ; Punta Gorda , tyre track puddle, 16°06'31,3"N, 88°48'41,7"W, 03. V.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (2 ex.) ; Punta Gorda , temp. pool next to road, 16°06'35"N, 88°48'41"W, 03. V.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (1 ex.) ; Punta Gorda , lights basketball field, 16°06'15,1"N, 88°48'14"W, 03. V.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (2 ex.) ; Punta Gorda , shallow pool, 16°05'19,7"N, 88°48'53,4"W, 05. V.2015, Leg. K. Scheers & A. Thomaes (1 ex.) .

DISTRIBUTION. Belize (first record), Guatemala. A common species in Belize, known from the Belize, Cayo and Toledo districts ( Fig. 2 K ).

HABITAT. With the exception of the records of two rather small, permanent ponds, all records of this species are from shallow, small to very small, predominantly temporary and ephemeral water bodies like puddles formed after heavy rain, puddles in temporary streams, ditches and marshes etc. ( Fig. 5 ). A few specimens were also collected on light. The presence in ephemeral puddles on roads etc. within two days after their formation and the species found attracted to lights of the basketball field in Punta Gorda shows that this species is a ready flyer.

NOTE. The genus Uvarus is in need of revision and most Neotropical species are poorly known. The genus as known to date is probably not monophyletic (MILLER & BERGSTEN, 2017).

Figures

Fig. 2. Distribution of Bidessini in Belize: A, Anodocheilus francescae Young, 1974; B, Anodocheilus guatemalensis (Zaitzev, 1910); C, Bidessodes elongatus (Sharp, 1882); D, Bidessonotus caraibus (Chevrolat, 1863); E, Bidessonotus mexicanus Régimbart, 1895; F, Bidessonotus mobilis J. Balfour-Browne, 1947; G, Bidessonotus pollostus Young, 1990; H, Bidessonotus vicinus Young, 1990; I, Neobidessus obtusoides Young, 1977; J, Neobidessus persimilis (Régimbart, 1895); K, Uvarus spretus (Sharp, 1882). Yellow dots indicate literature records and red dots studied material.

Fig. 5. Shallow pool in partly mowed, small marsh near Punta Gorda (Toledo) with Anodocheilus francescae, Bidessonotus caraibus, Bidessonotus vicinus and Uvarus spretus. © Kevin Scheers.