Water beetles (Dytiscidae)

Water beetles are adapted to a life in water. They can be found in all types of aquatic habitats. Their legs are adapted for swimming and they are very clumsy on land. These beetles are usually very smooth and shiny. They have the shape of a “flying saucer” and can also emit foul smelling fluids for defense. Water beetles are predacious and feed on insects, small worms, tadpoles and other small water creatures. The female lays her eggs in slits in the stems of water plants.  The larvae of water beetles look a bit like a centipede.