Sunday 19 May
Water beetle (Laccophilus poecilus)
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Find out here.Water beetle fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
Water beetle description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Coleoptera |
| Family | Dytiscidae |
| Genus | Laccophilus |
This attractive little water beetle has a pattern of pale markings on its wing cases. It was previously known at under three different names: Laccophilus variegatus, L. obsoletus and L. ponticus. Like all the members of its family, it is well adapted to underwater life. As well as having the head sunk into the thorax, their hind legs have become flattened and equipped with hairs to aid with swimming. The whole animal is beautifully streamlined, and their breathing apparatus is designed for maximum efficiency. However, their links with their terrestrial cousins is obvious from the fact that all members of the family are strong fliers.
- Size
- Length: 3 mm
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Related species
Water beetle biology
Not a lot appears to be known about the behaviour of this rare beetle. It is believed the adults emerge in July and survive through the winter until the following March. Both adults and larvae are fierce carnivores, in common with the rest of their family, although the larvae feed by injecting digestive fluids and sucking the prey dry. The adults feed in the conventional way, masticating their prey with the well-developed jaws.
TopWater beetle range
This species is widely distributed around Europe, ranging from southern Scandinavia to the Mediterranean. In the UK, however, it is now found only on the Lewes Levels in Sussex, although it was once more widespread. There are records for southeast Yorkshire, Kent and south Hampshire, as well as East and West Sussex. It was found on the Pevensey Levels until 1972, and it is believed to have disappeared from there through a decline in water quality.
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Species with a similar range
Water beetle habitat
This beetle is found in lowland fen and coastal grazing marsh, but does not favour brackish water. It is associated with the well-vegetated margins of ditches and lakes, often with common water starwort and mare's-tail flanked by floating sweet grass.
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Species found in a similar habitat
Water beetle status
Classified as Vulnerable in the UK.
TopWater beetle threats
It is thought that the greatest threat to this water beetle is a loss of water quality and a lowering of the water table.
TopWater beetle conservation
Laccophilus poecilus is listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP), and is included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme. The first thing is to ensure that the beetle is not lost from its only known site in the UK. The second is to establish the beetle's true status, and survey known former sites to find out whether there are any specimens surviving, or if the habitat is suitable for a re-introduction programme.
TopFind out more
The UK BAP Species Action Plan is available at:
http://www.ukbap.org.uk
Authentication
Information supplied by English Nature.
http://www.english-nature.org.uk
Glossary
- Brackish
- Slightly salty water.
- Larvae
- Stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
- Thorax
- Part of the body located near the head in animals. In insects, the three segments between the head and the abdomen, each of which has a pair of legs.
References
More »Related species
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