Some kind of nymph?

user27 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 02:22 PM

I keep seeing these things in the pond and I can't find them in any books!

Does anybody know what they are?

It keeps sticking it's short v tail out of the water; is it breathing?

The head is spoon shaped and coloured yellow and black; looks like it's trying to scrape a meal off the bottom.

RoyW · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 02:59 PM

Hi,

This is a water beetle larvae of some sort. They are carnivorous, and will feed on tadpoles and other small aquatic creatures - and yes, it is breathing when it sticks its 'tails' out of the water.

Oh, and welcome to the forum by the way!

Roy.

user27 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 08:04 AM

Thanks Roy, good to know; I have never seen water beetle larvae with such vivid colours on their heads before.

Could you recomend a book that would actually have these in it?

Alex