Beetle ID conformation please

[Garden Carpet]

I think i have this correctly identified (with the help of a friend) as Great diving beetle (Dytiscus marginalis). Could anyone confirm this. I know it isnt a great quality picture. If the id is correct would this be a Gallery first?



jaki

just noticed the spelling mistake on the title... perhaps a mod type person would be kind and correct it for me.. thanks

[Paul mabbott]

If those are 1cm markings on the grid, I don't think it can be anything else - although it doesn't look at all the right colour - I assume that's a photographic/light distortion?
Hope you didn't get bitten - these are the beetles most likely to draw blood from humans!

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

I think i have this correctly identified (with the help of a friend) as Great diving beetle (Dytiscus marginalis). Could anyone confirm this. I know it isnt a great quality picture. If the id is correct would this be a Gallery first?
jaki

just noticed the spelling mistake on the title... perhaps a mod type person would be kind and correct it for me.. thanks

[Garden Carpet]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

If those are 1cm markings on the grid, I don't think it can be anything else - although it doesn't look at all the right colour - I assume that's a photographic/light distortion?
Hope you didn't get bitten - these are the beetles most likely to draw blood from humans!

IT BITES!!!!!!!.. cripes.... no.. I wasnt bitten.. I didnt handle it. It was enormous!! I will remember that if I ever see another one!

She was a dull brown colour on top.. and creamy/brown underneath... she had some strength as she flipped over from her back really strongly. It was becoming distressed.. my parents captured it lastnight.. kept it in a jam jar with holes punched in the lid and brought it over for me. There was a terrible stink from the jar when i opened it!!! I released it near the old washing up bowl that does pond duty out the front.

jaki

[Paul mabbott]

The stink was probably from the water but they do like quite well aerated water (at least, a large body of water) and they have a big appetite (they will eat small fish and amphibians) - perhaps best to get it to a larger body of water - unless you want to feed it tadpoles on a regular basis ....

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

IT BITES!!!!!!!.. cripes.... no.. I wasnt bitten.. I didnt handle it. It was enormous!! I will remember that if I ever see another one!

She was a dull brown colour on top.. and creamy/brown underneath... she had some strength as she flipped over from her back really strongly. It was becoming distressed.. my parents captured it lastnight.. kept it in a jam jar with holes punched in the lid and brought it over for me. There was a terrible stink from the jar when i opened it!!! I released it near the old washing up bowl that does pond duty out the front.

jaki

[Garden Carpet]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

The stink was probably from the water but they do like quite well aerated water (at least, a large body of water) and they have a big appetite (they will eat small fish and amphibians) - perhaps best to get it to a larger body of water - unless you want to feed it tadpoles on a regular basis ....

There was no water in the jar... and she was some distance from water at my parents house. There is a pond about half a mile as the beetle flies from my garden.. she will probably find her way there.. I understand they are strong flyers.
jaki