Habitat
Adults: aquatic
Immatures: aquatic

Feeding Habits
Adults: saprophagous
Immatures: predaceous

North American
Species: 284

Coleoptera Hydrophilidae
Water scavenger beetles

Special Characteristics: Most species are aquatic and are usually shiny black and broadly oval, they have large eyes and short clubbed antennae.

Comments: Most species of Hydrophilidae are aquatic and are common in ponds and quiet streams. The adults carry air below the water on the ventral side of their body. In contrast to the Dytiscidae, the Hydrophilidae move their hind legs alternately when swimming. A few species are terrestrial and live in dung or in decaying plant material.

Species:
Hydrophilus triangularis Say

Common Name:
Giant water scavenger beetle

Feeding Habits: The adults feed on decaying remains of aquatic animals while the larvae prey on small live animals.

Distribution:
Widespread in Canada.

Comments:
This species and some other species have their metasternum prolonged into a sharp spine that can be painful if handled. This species is between 34 and 37 mm in length.