This larva was found in a flooded area off of Childs Hollow Road. in the wetlands. It was caught in a dip net. Its overall occurrence at Fontenelle Forest is unknown. As of this time we don’t have a photo of the adult beetle but have photos of 2 related water scavenger beetles on Nature Search.

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.