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Diving beetle larvae have large heads with
impressive jaws.
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 Identification Key
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Diving Beetle Larva
Description
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Large head
with impressive, hollow jaws |
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Long thorax
with 3 pairs of legs |
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Some species
have filamentous gills, others must go to
surface to breathe air |
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Size reaches
up to 25 mm |
Ecological Role
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Diving beetle
larvae are voracious predators that eat a
variety of other aquatic organisms,
including tadpoles and small fish. |
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Often preyed
upon by larger fish. |
Interesting Facts
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Predaceous
diving beetle larvae are extremely aggressive and even
cannibalistic. |
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Because they
sometimes eat small fish, they are also
called "water tigers." |
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When handled
by people, they are known to bite.
Though painful, the bite is not medically
serious. |
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