''Hydrophilus ensifer'' is a species of

water scavenger beetle Hydrophilidae, also known colloquially as water scavenger beetles, is a family of beetles. Aquatic hydrophilids are notable for their long maxillary palps, which are longer than their antennae. Several of the former subfamilies of Hydrophilidae ...

in the family Hydrophilidae found in the Americas. As of 2020, there are two valid subspecies of ''H. ensifer'', ''H. e. ensifer'' and ''H. e. duvali'', however the differences among the subspecies are not well understood.

Description

The genus ''Hydrophilus'' are among the largest aquatic insects. Adult ''H. ensifer'' typically reach lengths of 30–37 mm, although many are often less than 32 mm long.

Distribution

''Hydrophilus ensifer'' is found from Argentina northwards throughout most of South America, through Central America north into central Mexico, and throughout the Caribbean. ''Hydrophilus ensifer'' reaches as far north as

South Florida South Florida is the southernmost region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is one of Florida's three most commonly referred to directional regions; the other two are Central Florida and North Florida. South Florida is the southernmost part of th ...

in the United States.

References

Hydrophilinae Beetles described in 1837 Taxa named by Gaspard Auguste Brullé {{hydrophilidae-stub