Wikijunior:Bugs/Diving Beetle

What does it look like?

Diving Beetles are usually brownish-black or dark green with smooth, oval bodies. They can be large or small, ranging in size from 1/16 inch to 1-5/8 inches long. Some are equipped with hind legs that can be converted into paddles for swimming. Most water beetles move their legs alternately, but Diving Beetles flex their hind legs together simultaneously, using them as oars. They have a chamber that holds trapped air so they can breathe underwater. Their sickle-shaped jaws are very strong and are often used to attack prey larger than themselves.

Small Flat Diving Beetles are only about ½ inch long. They have an oval, flattened brown-colored body with brownish-yellow markings. A fringe of golden yellow hairs widens and flattens the surface of the hind legs so they can be used as paddles.

Where does it live?

Predacious diving beetles belong to the Dytiscidae family. Small Flat Diving Beetles live in ponds, and weedy margins of slow streams and rivers. They range from southern Canada to northern United States. Large Diving Beetles live in ponds, pools, streams, and rivers. They are found throughout North America. The Marbled Diving Beetle is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico.

What does it eat?

Their prey is Creek Chub, Bullfrog, Wood Frog, Spring Peeper, Eastern Dobsonfly, Green Darner, Eastern Newt, Tesselated Darter, Yellow Perch,Bluegill, Crane Fly, Golden Shiner, Ebony Jewelwing, Snow Flea, Spotted SalamanderEbony Jewelwing, Southern Leopard Frog,Common Whitetail. Eastern Mosquitofish, Aquatic Worm,& Northern Caddis Fly.

  ;P