Larval description of Gyrelmis (Coleoptera: Elmidae)

Elmidae is a diverse family of aquatic Coleoptera with nearly 1500 species and 150 genera in the world. However, most of the species and genera lack larval associations. One of these genera is Gyrelmis, which has 12 species reported from Brazil, Colombia and French Guiana. The larva of Gyrelmis is described and illustrated in this work from specimens collected in Colombia and French Guiana. The larva of Gyrelmis is similar to that of Xenelmis in its humpback, conical body which tapers apically, and the integumentary surface being smooth, not tuberculate. It can be distinguished from other genera, especially Xenelmis, because it has pleurites on only one abdominal segment, a prosternum with two anterolateral and one central and one posteromedial sclerites, meso and metasternum with one anterior and two lateral sclerites, closed procoxal cavities, a short sensorium on the second antennomere, clypeus and anterior region of head without teeth, thorax and first abdominal segments with integumentary expansions, and with spine-like setae on the pleural regions of the abdominal and thoracic tergites.