What kinds of general water bodies do Water Scavenger Beetles (Hydrophilidae) in Missouri typically inhabit?
Stagnant or slow-moving water bodies like ditches and ponds rich in decaying matter.
The habitat preferences of the Water Scavenger Beetles (*Hydrophilidae*) in Missouri illustrate a stark contrast to species like *B. hungerfordi*. The ecology of *Hydrophilidae* in this region ties them to low-energy aquatic environments. This includes stagnant or slow-moving waters such as ponds, ditches, and the sheltered edges of lakes. A key ecological driver for their presence is the availability of decaying organic matter; many species within this family feed on detritus or decomposing plant material found within these silty or mucky environments. This preference highlights an ecological niche centered around slow water and high nutrient availability from decay.
