Description: Slender beetle, 3.5 mm (0.14 in.) long, 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) wide, cylindrical in shape. Head round, minutely tuberculate (wart-like), with dark stripe down the middle of the head. Back various shades of reddish-brown, legs a greenish tint. Wings undeveloped, non-functional.
Diet: Feed on aquatic plants and algae.
Habitat: Outflow streams from warm temperature springs to 31.7o C (89o F), occur in swift, shallow water on pebble, algae-covered rocks within sand-pebble areas, in aquatic vegetation and bare tree roots.
Range: Endemic to the Warm Springs area in Moapa, Clark County, Nevada.
Comments: Stenelmis moapa is a High Priority Evaluation Species. The Medium Priority Moapa riffle beetle (Microcylloepus moapus moapus) occupies similar habitat in the Warm Springs area but at shallower water depth and higher velocity water.