see text Helophorus is the only genus in the beetle family Helophoridae (traditionally included within Hydrophilidae as the subfamily Helophorinae) within the Hydrophiloidea.

On pronotum they have granulate sculpture and unique pattern of 7 longitudinal grooves.

[3] The majority of Helophorus species adults are aquatic live on the periphery of rivers and streams as well as stagnant bodies of water or pools, though a number are also terrestrial.

The larvae are terrestrial and are predominantly carnivores, though in some species are herviorous, and are pests of turnips, rutabaga, and wheat.

The genus is divided into many subgenera (Atracthelophorus, Cyphelophorus, Empleurus, Eutrichelophorus, Gephelophorus, Helophorus, Orphelophorus, Rhopalohelophorus and Transithelophorus).