Derovatellus cf. natalensis Omer-Cooper, 1965

Perissinotto, Renzo, Bird, Matthew S. & Bilton, David T., 2016, Predaceous water beetles (Coleoptera, Hydradephaga) of the Lake St Lucia system, South Africa: biodiversity, community ecology and conservation implications, ZooKeys 595, pp. 85-135 : 124

Derovatellus cf. natalensis Omer-Cooper, 1965

Remarks.

Ponds and small wetlands with dense vegetation. This beetle is either Derovatellus natalensis or an undescribed species. Omer-Cooper (1965) states that the type is in the Natural History Museum, London, but no specimens of this species are present in the collection (D.T. Bilton, pers. obs.). The male genitalia are close to Omer-Cooper’s figures of natalensis , but do differ. It is hoped that the identity of these specimens can be resolved by future studies of material named by Omer-Cooper.

Distribution.

Endemic to South-East Africa.

St Lucia records.

Not previously recorded from St Lucia. Recorded at Western Shores, Eastern Shores and False Bay in November 2013 and January/February 2015, during this study.