The Great Diving Beetle is an Impressive Underwater Hunter 💧 Macro Worlds | Smithsonian Channel

Summary

The great diving beetle, a remarkable species with over 3,000 known aquatic beetles, is adapted to life underwater with feathered rear legs that act as oars. This beetle breathes by trapping air beneath its wing case, allowing it to stay submerged for up to 30 minutes. As a skilled predator, it hunts weak water dwellers and feeds on carrion, including tadpoles in spring. However, declining amphibian populations are making survival more difficult for these beetles. With their food sources dwindling, their future remains uncertain.

Takeaways

• 😀 The great diving beetle is one of over 3,000 known species of aquatic beetles.
• 😀 This beetle is found in ponds and lakes across the northern hemisphere.
• 😀 The beetle has a streamlined body and feathered rear legs that serve as oars for underwater maneuvering.
• 😀 Unlike some aquatic creatures, the great diving beetle does not have gills and must surface to breathe.
• 😀 The beetle traps air beneath its wing case, functioning like a scuba tank, allowing it to stay submerged for up to 30 minutes.
• 😀 The great diving beetle hunts weak or sick water dwellers and consumes carrion, acting like an underwater predator.
• 😀 Its sharp mandibles allow the beetle to inject digestive enzymes into its prey to help with digestion.
• 😀 The larval form of the great diving beetle is an agile and fast swimmer, also requiring periodic surfacing for air.
• 😀 In spring, the beetle larvae primarily feed on tadpoles.
• 😀 Despite millions of years of success, great diving beetles are now struggling due to dwindling amphibian populations in central Europe, affecting their food supply.

Q & A

How many species of aquatic beetles are known?

There are more than 3,000 known species of aquatic beetles.

What is the main habitat of the great diving beetle?

The great diving beetle lives in ponds and lakes throughout the northern hemisphere.

What is the most obvious adaptation of the great diving beetle for underwater life?

The most obvious adaptation of the great diving beetle is its pair of feathered rear legs, which have evolved into oars to help it maneuver underwater.

How does the great diving beetle breathe underwater?

The great diving beetle does not have gills; instead, it traps air beneath its wing case, using it like a scuba tank to breathe while submerged.

How long can the great diving beetle stay submerged underwater?

The great diving beetle can stay submerged for about 30 minutes, using the air trapped beneath its wing case.

What is the hunting behavior of the adult great diving beetle?

The adult great diving beetle hunts sick and weak water dwellers, and also eats carrion.

What type of prey does the larval form of the great diving beetle hunt?

The larval form of the great diving beetle is a fast, agile swimmer and hunts underwater prey, including tadpoles in the spring.

What is the significance of the great diving beetle’s mandibles?

The great diving beetle has short but sharp mandibles, which it uses to inject digestive enzymes into its prey.

Why are the great diving beetles struggling in central Europe?

The great diving beetles are struggling in central Europe due to dwindling amphibian populations, which makes food harder to find.

What might threaten the survival of the great diving beetle?

The dwindling populations of amphibians in central Europe, which are a main food source for the beetles, could threaten their survival.