Water Beetles

Water Beetles are members of the order Coleoptera, which is the largest group of insects. In North America alone there are an estimated 30,000 species of insects in this order. Members of this group are highly advanced and demonstrate great variability and adaptations making their success in a wide range of habitat types possible. Water beetles are ideally suited for their habitat with their cryptic coloration, their ability to dive and swim quickly, and their adaptability to be either fully or semi aquatic throughout their lifecycle. Many use atmospheric rather than dissolved oxygen. This allows the beetles a more diverse habitat. They are most apt to consume smaller insects and some plant material, but are capable of killing and consuming fish much larger than themselves