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Black-bellied great diving-beetle

Dytiscus semisulcatus

A species of Dytiscus

It is a rather large insect. The larvae can grow up to 18 millimetres (0.71 in) in length, while the adults are generally 22–32 millimetres (0.87–1.26 in). The basic anatomy of the D. semisulcatus is broken up into three separate functional body regions: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. The entire body wall of the beetle is called the exoskeleton. The head houses the brain, eyes, antennae, and mouth parts. The eyes are compound eyes which are lens-like in appearance and have a pixel-like reception. They are made up of thousands of little receptors called ommatidia. The antennae are covered with many chemical receptors and act as sensory organs. They are dark-coloured, with a black head and clypeus testaceous (or brick red in colour). The antennae are pale and short. The head of male beetles are finely punctured, while female beetles are more coarse. The pronotum (dorsal exoskeletal plate) is black. Their back and wing cases (or elytra) are red-brick to black, with a pale outer margin (or epipleuron). The elytra on male beetles has 3 narrow grooves. The females have 10 furrows on the lower section. The wings are broad. The metasternum (belly plate) is rounded and black in colour. They have slender legs that are dark brown to black and it has metatarsal claws.

General Info About Black-bellied great diving-beetle
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Attributes of Black-bellied great diving-beetle
Colors
Brown
Black
Orange
Habitat
It can be found in stagnant ponds and slow-moving clear water with much vegetation on the sides. They also can be found in peat bogs and among marginal sphagnum.
Adult Food Sources
Insects, small fish, tadpoles, aquatic invertebrates, froglets
Larva Food Source
Small aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, fish fry, other insect larvae, aquatic worms
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
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Distribution Area of Black-bellied great diving-beetle
It is found in Europe (ranging from North Africa to Southern Scandinavia and east to Turkestan) and in Northern Asia (excluding China).
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Life Cycle of Black-bellied great diving-beetle
Egg The eggs of black-bellied great diving-beetle are laid in water or nearby vegetation. They are typically oval and possess a protective coating, usually reflecting the aquatic environment in subdued colors for camouflage.
Larva Larvae of black-bellied great diving-beetle are elongated with distinct segmentation, appearing worm-like with powerful mandibles for feeding. They are voracious predators, growing in size and molting several times.
Pupal Black-bellied great diving-beetle’s pupal stage occurs in water, often attached to submerged objects. This non-feeding stage is when the major transformation happens, with the organism encased in a pupal shell.
Adult Adult black-bellied great diving-beetle emerge from the pupae with streamlined bodies adapted for swimming. They exhibit hardened wing cases, mature sexual organs, and are often a darker color than earlier stages, actively seeking mates.
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Predators of Black-bellied great diving-beetle Larvae
Fish, tadpoles, aquatic insects, birds
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Scientific Classification of Black-bellied great diving-beetle
Tips for Finding Black-bellied great diving-beetle
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Youth Habitat of Black-bellied great diving-beetle
Freshwater Habitats
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Adult Habitat of Black-bellied great diving-beetle
Freshwater Habitats
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How Can You Attract Black-bellied great diving-beetle
Due to black-bellied great diving-beetle's predaceous nature, live bait such as small fish or insects might be used as an attractant in traps designed to catch them.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Black-bellied great diving-beetle
Black-bellied great diving-beetle prefers calm and warm conditions, typically avoiding times of heavy rain or cold temperatures that could impact its activity and behavior.
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How and Where Can You Find Black-bellied great diving-beetle at Different Life Stages
Larva Larvae of black-bellied great diving-beetle, also known as 'water tigers', are aquatic and predatory. They are commonly found in calm freshwater bodies such as ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams. To find them, search through vegetation in shallow waters or turn over submerged rocks and debris where larvae may hide.
Pupal Black-bellied great diving-beetle pupates in moist environments near the exits of water bodies where they spent their larval stage. Locating black-bellied great diving-beetle's pupae involves carefully examining the banks of ponds or streams, searching for pupation chambers just below the surface in muddy or moist soil.
Adult Adult black-bellied great diving-beetle are strong fliers but they return to water bodies to breed and feed. You can find adult black-bellied great diving-beetle by setting up light traps near water sources at night or by using aquatic netting techniques during the day. Sweep the net through vegetation at the edges of water bodies where they typically reside.
Are Black-bellied great diving-beetle harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Black-bellied great diving-beetle
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Predators of Pests
Predators of Pests
Purpose
Feed Itself
Diets
Mosquito Larvae, Aquatic Insects
Black-bellied great diving-beetle, an adept aquatic hunter, darts through water with ease, seizing unsuspecting prey with its piercing jaws. Both in larval and adult stages, it's driven to sustain itself, showcasing a particular fondness for succulent mosquito larvae and a variety of aquatic insects. This pursuit is a spectacle of nature's ruthless efficiency.
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