Great Diving Beetle

[Charlesbeams]

We've almost finished putting in our pond, just need to put a few plants in here and there and it's almost done.

Today i saw a Beetle swimming around and when i looked it up, it was a great diving beetle. Great stuff our first proper visitor, other than Mosquito Larvae.

Anyway, we were considering getting some toadlets for the pond, but with our new friend there, would he just eat/attack them?

Cheers
Chris

Will be trying to get some photos when i get the chance.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Charlesbeams

Anyway, we were considering getting some toadlets for the pond, but with our new friend there, would he just eat/attack them?

I cant stress the importance enough of not moving amphibians around. It can be a major cause of disease transfer and can ultimately remove individuals from good habitat into none selected habitat. It is far better to let creatures come naturally. Im sure you got more enjoyment from your beetle turning up because it chose your pond, rather than if you had placed it there. If your pond is suitable they will breeding in it in the future. However a new garden pond is more likely to be attractive to common frogs than toads.

[Charlesbeams]

I guess i didn't really think about that much and will make sure we don't bring any toads into the pond.

And it was great that the beetle chose our new pond, and hopefully some frogs will be next (there has been one around the garden).

Thanks
Chris

[STYRBJORN]

Dytiscus marginalis or Hydrus piceus?

[Charlesbeams]

Dytiscus marginalis i believe, it wasnt very black like the other one looks.

[larachmor]

Originally Posted by Charlesbeams

Anyway, we were considering getting some toadlets for the pond, but with our new friend there, would he just eat/attack them?

We had diving beetle larvae in our pond this year - having a great time amongst the tadpoles!