Ochthebius recticulus

Wilbur Springs Minute Moss Beetle

(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence

Family: Hydraenidae · Class: Insecta · Order: Coleoptera

Conservation status: G1 S1

Ochthebius recticulus (Wilbur Springs Minute Moss Beetle) is a California animal in the Hydraenidae family.

The Wilbur Springs Minute Moss Beetle (Ochthebius recticulus) is a critically imperiled aquatic beetle in the family Hydraenidae. As indicated by its common name, this species is associated with the Wilbur Springs area, though specific distributional data remains undocumented in available scientific literature. The species belongs to the genus Ochthebius, which comprises small aquatic beetles typically measuring 1-3 millimeters in length, though specific morphological descriptions for O. recticulus have not been published in accessible sources. The historical and current range of this species appears to be extremely limited, as suggested by its Global Rank of G1 (critically imperiled globally) and State Rank of S1 (critically imperiled in California). The Wilbur Springs reference in the common name suggests an association with the geothermal spring systems in Colusa County, California, though the exact localities where this species occurs have not been documented in available literature. Like other members of the genus Ochthebius, this species likely inhabits aquatic or semi-aquatic environments. Many Ochthebius species are found in spring systems, seepages, or margins of small water bodies, often in association with moss, algae, or other aquatic vegetation. The specific habitat requirements, substrate preferences, and elevation range for O. recticulus remain undocumented. Detailed ecological information for this species is lacking in available scientific literature. Members of the genus Ochthebius are typically microphagous, feeding on organic detritus, algae, and microorganisms in aquatic environments. Reproductive biology, seasonal activity patterns, and life cycle details for O. recticulus have not been documented. The relationship between this species and moss communities, as suggested by its common name, requires further investigation. The conservation status of O. recticulus reflects extreme rarity, with both global and state rankings of 1 indicating critical imperilment. This ranking suggests the species faces immediate risk of extinction, likely due to its extremely restricted range and small population size. Potential threats to spring-associated beetle species typically include habitat modification, water diversions, groundwater pumping, pollution, and climate change impacts on hydrological systems. However, specific threats to O. recticulus have not been assessed due to the lack of detailed distributional and ecological data. The paucity of information available for this species highlights the need for systematic surveys of California's spring ecosystems and taxonomic work on the state's aquatic beetle fauna. Scientific documentation for this species remains extremely limited, with no recent publications found describing its biology, distribution, or conservation needs. We welcome contributions of verified scientific data, field observations, or specimens to enhance understanding of this critically imperiled species.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, and more.