Funky beetle dudes...

kathateria · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 03:45 PM

I keep studying my pond,hoping for a glimpse of frogs/tadpoles/newts.
I spotted what I thought were 2 tadpoles,only on closer inspection,it looked round, like a beetle type creature. It moved very fast,and went very deep under the water.
What could this be?
I have loads of larvae in there,so plenty of food

King Edward · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 04:02 PM

There are lots of water beetle species, so probably one of these. Yours sounds like it was quite likely one of the Dytiscidae, which are fast-swimming predatory species. Try looking up photos of Agabus, Ilybius, Colymbetes, Acilius to see how they compare.

There are also many smaller species, a lot of which prefer to crawl around on the plants rather than swimming.

dampflippers · #3 (**permalink**) 11-06-2011, 10:20 AM

Another beetle to look out for is the whirlygig beetle.
These are shiny (silver) and wizz round in circles on the surface of the water.

kathateria · #4 (**permalink**) 11-06-2011, 10:24 AM

Its amazing how they find the new ponds so quickly.
I want more frogs in it though.There are some that visit one end of the garden,but they have yet to frequent the new pond