PREDACEOUS DIVING BEETLE

PREDACEOUS DIVING BEETLE

Predaceous diving beetle
DIVING BEETLE (Dytiscidae)

This beetle ranges in size from 1 to 1.3 inches long. They are usually black or brown in color. It appears they have 2 arms and they are used to propel it in the water. Adult beetles have streamlined, oval or football shaped flattened bodies Most species are brown to black but some have distinctive patterns of spots, lines or mottling on the wing covers (elytra). They have elongate hair like antennae. The head bears conspicuous large sickle-shaped mandibles without teeth.

 

The diving beetle is found in or near ponds or lakes. This one was found in the flooded woodlands off of Childs Hollow Road across from the wetlands learning center.

 

These beetles are attracted to light and are most active at night. They feed on other aquatic insects. Males use their feet for mating. Diving beetles are easily confused with water scavenger beetles. The latter surface for air head first and have a ridge or keel on the underside that runs down the thorax and extends into a point. These predaceous insects feed on a variety of aquatic organisms, including small fish. These beetles may be found in nearly any body of water. They fly into small ponds and puddles and can even be found in saline ponds. Adults frequently surface for air, holding the tip of the abdomen to the surface to obtain air which is stored under the wing covers (elytra) to breath. They are good swimmers and use their legs in unison to propel themselves in a straight line in a jerky fashion.

 

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