Dytiscidae - Ilybius fuliginosus?

JRsbugs · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2010, 08:50 PM

Hi,

I found a Diving beetle larva in the water yesterday with it's lower end hanging and head at the surface. It looked like it wasn't doing well, so I lifted it out and got some pics while it warmed up in our brief sunshine (and got some pics

). After putting it back it started to twist then floated horizontally, looking more lively. Size about 13-14mm.

This doesn't look like the Great Diving beetle, but I did have what I think is Ilybius fuliginosus in August and September last year, the pond was only finished at the end of July. It was around 10mm long.

Does anyone know if the larva is the same as the beetle, which I think I have got correct but any corrections welcome.

Janet

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 14-03-2010, 10:11 AM

The Imago is Ilybius fuliginosus, the larvae is not Ilybius. The larvae is a staphylinid, it must have fallen into the pond hence why it was struggling. Dytiscid larvae tend not to hang about at the surface unless there is weed growth present for hinding in.

JRsbugs · #3 (**permalink**) 14-03-2010, 02:50 PM

Ooops!

Thanks Dogg, they are so similar! On the bright side, I did see it at the edge of the pond later with it's head above water and front legs on the side. At that point I was wondering if it wanted to get out

. I haven't seen it floating dead anyhwere so I imagine it might have climbed the liner, although it's vertical with about 2" climb I think they can climb fairly well? It's a butyl liner so has some grip capability.