Water Scavenger Beetles

Family Hydrophilidae

Giant water scavenger beetle (Hydrophilus triangularis). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Most species are aquatic and are usually shiny black and broadly oval, they have large eyes and short clubbed antennae. Most species of Hydrophilidae are aquatic and are common in ponds and quiet streams. The adults carry air below the water on the ventral side of their body. In contrast to the Dytiscidae, the Hydrophilidae move their hind legs alternately when swimming. A few species are terrestrial and live in dung or in decaying plant material.