Diving beetle

The Diving Beetle is an insect found in rivers and ponds, swiming and diving. It appears during the months of May through September. When caught, the 'Bugs and Fish' window says "These are said to have short but strong pincers. Ouch!"

Upon Donation in City Folk
It can be found in the bottom-left hand enclosure in the insect exhibition, in the small pond.

Further Information
Adult beetles have streamlined, oval or football shaped flattened bodies that are usually 1/8 to 1 inch long. Most species are brown to black but some have distinctive patterns of spots, lines or mottling on the wing covers. They have elongate hairlike antennae. Larvae are not frequently seen and have a long thorax and long legs. The head bears conspicuous large sickle-shaped mandibles without teeth.

Predaceous diving beetles are easily confused with water scavenger beetles (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae). 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.