Abstract Larvae of 2 Neotropical species of Haliplus Latreille, 1802 (H. indistinctus Zimmermann, 1928 and H. subseriatus Zimmermann, 1921) are described and illustrated including detailed morphometric and chaetotaxic analyses of the cephalic capsule, head appendages, and legs. Except for the legs, this is the first treatment of larval primary chaetotaxy for the family Haliplidae. The larvae studied herein have 10 abdominal segments, with segment X forking into 2 caudal projections, 1 pretarsal claw, a clasping device on prothoracic legs, and numerous short tracheal gills on the body, characteristics typically found in haliplid larvae. Regarding primary chaetotaxy, they are characterized by the absence of several setae and pores which are commonly present among other families of Hydradephaga, namely seta FR6 on the frontoclypeus, seta PA16 on the parietal, setae AN2 and AN3 and pore ANg on the antenna, setae MX13 and MX14 on the maxilla, and seta CO6 on the coxa. Mandibular seta MN2 is also strongly developed as compared to other hydradephagans. The larvae of the 2 described species can be separated by comparing the distance from the base of segment X to the point at which it forks into caudal projections.

Resumen Se describen e ilustran las larvas de 2 especies neotropicales de Haliplus Latreille, 1802 (H. indistinctus Zimmermann, 1928 y H. subseriatus Zimmermann, 1921), incluyendo análisis detallados de la morfometría y quetotaxia de la cápsula cefálica, apéndices cefálicos y patas. Excepto por las patas, este es el primer tratamiento de la quetotaxia primaria larval para la familia Haliplidae. Las larvas estudiadas presentan 10 segmentos abdominales, con el segmento X biburcado en 2 proyecciones caudales, 1 única uña pretarsal, 1 dispositivo de agarre en las patas protorácicas, y numerosas branquias traqueales cortas en el cuerpo, todas características típicamente encontradas en larvas de halíplidos. Con respecto a la quetotaxia primaria, están caracterizadas por la ausencia de varias setas y poros que están comúnmente presentes en otras familias de Hydradephaga, como la seta FR6 en el frontoclípeo, la seta PA16 en el parietal, las setas AN2 y AN3 y el poro ANg en la antena, las setas MX13 y MX14 en la maxila, y la seta CO6 en la coxa. Además, la seta mandibular MN2 está fuertemente desarrollada en comparación con la de otros hidradéfagos. Las larvas de las 2 especies descritas pueden separarse comparando la distancia desde la base del segmento X hasta el punto en el cual éste se bifurca en las proyecciones caudales.

ABSTRACT The larva of the whirligig beetle Enhydrus sulcatus (Wiedemann, 1821) is described and illustrated for the first time, including detailed morphometric and chaetotaxic analyses of the cephalic capsule, head appendages and legs. Larvae of Enhydrus Laporte, 1834 exhibit the characters traditionally recognized as autapomorphies of the family Gyrinidae: well developed cardo, completely divided prementum, presence of lateral abdominal tracheal gills, and presence of four terminal hooks on the pygopod. The egg bursters located on the parietal, the presence of an additional sensorial plate on the third antennomere, and a well developed lacinia may also represent autapomorphies of the family. Enhydrus larvae share with those of the other known Dineutini genera the presence of numerous minute additional setae on the mandible, the presence of additional setae on the cardo, the submedial position of the coxal seta CO12, the absence of the trochanteral seta TR2, and the presence of numerous pore-like additional structures on the ultimate maxillary and labial palpomeres. On the other hand, Enhydrus can be distinguished from the other known dineutine genera by the presence of pore-like additional structures on the basal maxillary and labial palpomeres, the presence of ventral spinulae on the pygopod, and the bare tracheal gills, among other characters.