Is this a Great Diving Beetle?

[heb]

Am new to the forum and hope the I've put the link to the archive in correctly.

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Finally got a picture this evening. It's about 3cm long and has taken up residence in my pond. I'm curious, partly because it's so impressive but also because I'm not sure how much of a threat, if any, it poses to newt population. Currently have an adult pair and about 10 newtlets.

Any thoughts welcome!
Thanks
Heb

[heb]

Actually, it's about 4 cm long!

[naturegirl]

This looks like a Great Diving beetle to me. If it has a gold band around it's carapice then it is.

Yes, it will predate (eat) upon your newt babies/population.

Naturegirl

[djackso]

If you search Google images you can find "horrific" pictures of exactly what might happen to your newts. But isn't this just nature?

[heb]

You're right of course, it is nature, but then most of us intervene in some way or other at some time. Is a dilemma but was wondering about the merits of relocating it to local river? Will investigate further and many thanks for the info.

If it doesn't have a gold band is there another species it could obviously be?

I was pleased to see thumbnail but wasn't able to open the full size pic so will have another go at posting.

Thanks again.

[Dogghound]

Its the Great Diving beetle Dytiscus marginalis, there are alot of different species of beetle that live in water. It is nature and is probrably best left well alone, the diving beetle is a sign that your pond is doing well.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by heb

You're right of course, it is nature, but then most of us intervene in some way or other at some time. Is a dilemma but was wondering about the merits of relocating it to local river? Will investigate further and many thanks for the info.

If it doesn't have a gold band is there another species it could obviously be?

I was pleased to see thumbnail but wasn't able to open the full size pic so will have another go at posting.

Thanks again.

I woyldnt bother moving it - they can fly a dn iwould probably come back again. Plus its doing a job by removing the weak newtlets.

Based on the photo in my book I'd say yours looks like a males great diving beetle (Dytiscus marginalis) - as it also has the smoth elytra (wing cases)

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Based on the photo in my book I'd say yours looks like a males great diving beetle (Dytiscus marginalis) - as it also has the smoth elytra (wing cases)

Yes without doubt a male, good point.

[djackso]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

I woyldnt bother moving it - they can fly a dn iwould probably come back again.

Good point!

[heb]

Many thanks everyone. Will just watch it with interest for now. Newtlets survived the tsunami caused when my 14yr old niece fell in last week so perhaps they're clearly quite adept at darting out of harm's way!

Thanks again for confirming identification.
H