Atractelmis

Atractelmis
Atractelmis on image N.O 58 and N.0 59
Conservation status
Vulnerable (NatureServe)1
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Clade:	Pancrustacea
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Elateriformia
Family:	Elmidae
Genus:	Atractelmis Chandler, 19542
Species:	A. wawona
Binomial name
Atractelmis wawona Chandler, 19542

Atractelmis is a genus of riffle beetles in the family Elmidae. The genus is monotypic, the sole species being Atractelmis wawona,³⁴ also known as the Wawona riffle beetle.¹⁵ It is endemic to the Western United States between California, Oregon, and Idaho.¹⁵ The specific name wawona refers to its type locality, Wawona in the Yosemite National Park.²

Atractelmis wawona occur in riffles of rapid clear mountain streams at 600–1,500 m (2,000–5,000 ft) above sea level.¹ Adults and larvae occur in the same microhabitats and are typically found in aquatic mosses, particularly Platyhypnidium riparioides.⁶ These beetles are easily overlooked but can be locally numerous.¹

Adults measure about 2 mm (0.079 in) in length and 0.9 mm (0.035 in) in width. They are shiny black above with four red spots on the elytra.² The larvae can grow to 4.8–5 mm (0.19–0.20 in) in length.⁶