THE INSECTS OF CEDAR CREEK

Cedar Creek
Natural History Area

Insects of Cedar Creek

Order COLEOPTERA

Family DYTISCIDAE

(Predaceous Diving Beetles)

(Table of Species)

Roughly 20 species of Predaceous Diving Beetles (475 NA spp; 125 WS) have been collected at Cedar Creek; but much more work remains to be done with this family. Adults and larvae are predators, primarily in stagnant waters. Adults have long threadlike antennae and swim with their hind limbs moving simultaneously. Larvae have long sickle-shaped mandibles through which they suck their victim's bodily fluids. This Family will be discussed by Subfamily.

LACCOPHILINAE
Laccophilus maculosus is a common species found in all types of ponds.

HYDROPORINAE
Species collected in this Subfamily include: Desmopachria convexa, Liodessus fuscatus, Hygrotus spp incl impressopunctatus, Hydroporus spp incl undulatus, Most are small (2-6 mm), convex, colorful beetles.

COLYMBETINAE
Species collected in this Subfamily include: Agabus spp incl semipunctatus, Ilybius sp, Coptotomus interrogatus, Rhantus bistriatus, and Colymbetes sculptilis. Species of Agabus are medium and dark, while the others are larger and more colorful.

DYTISCINAE
Dytiscus spp incl fasciventris are large, elongate (30 mm) black beetles with a yellow elytral border.

HYDATICINAE
Species collected in this Subfamily include: Acilius semisulcatus, Graphoderus fasciaticollis, and Hydaticus (3 spp--modestus, piceus, stagnalis). Most of these species are medium in size (15 mm) and marked with yellow.

jhaar@lter.umn.edu