ASPECTS OF THE BIOLOGY OF THREE SPECIES OF THE GENUSRHANTUS(COLEOPTERA: DYTISCIDAE) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ACOUSTICAL BEHAVIOR OF TWO

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Abstract
Two of three species of the genusRhantusstudied were found to produce sounds while in water. Sound production by both sexes ofR.gutticollisandR.binotatusoccurs in a behavioral context of emigration, whileR.atricolordoes not produce waterborne sounds. Elevated temperature, absence of suitable bottom substrate, and high densities were effective stimuli for sound production by’ the two acoustically active species. The sounds were analyzed and a mechanism previously described as being involved in preflight warm-up of the thoracic musculature was found responsible for sound production in water. Possible functions of acoustical behavior are discussed, and new information on some aspects of the habitat ecology and general behavior of adults of the three species is provided.