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Predacious Diving Beetle

Hydaticus aruspex

Photo by Tom15
Published on Project Noah
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42.6112, -71.5745

Field Notes

Notes:

As I was getting out of my car at the local Audubon sanctuary, this beetle flew by and landed a few feet from my car. Most of the time these beetles are underwater swimmers, but they can fly.

Reference Links:

Species Hydaticus aruspex - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (11)
Tom15
Yuko, this one was 13mm long.
Tom15
Thanks Lauren. I was surprised at the nice pattern once I got a good look at the beetle.
LaurenZarate
This one is so colorful! Usually they are so dull, black or brown. Love this one.
AshleyT
Haha I don't blame you! We almost got a guy to let a toe bitter bite him on the stomach, but after 20 minutes of thinking about it, he finally decided he couldn't do it lol. And yea it didn't feel good at all, caught me off guard and man did it burn!
Tom15
The toe biter didn't get its picture taken, it went flying when I reacted to the bite:-) Backswimmers bite the same way with a beak, but not quite as big, but it must still hurt.
AshleyT
Toe biters seem like they have a very nasty bite, their pinchers are ridiculous! I got bit by a backswimmer last weekend, it didn't feel too great haha
Tom15
Glen, I haven't gotten bit by one of these beetles like you, but a water bug (toe biter) bit me when I picked it up.
Glen Marks
They have a fierce bite, I know, doh!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Beetles!
Mission
New England Arthropods
Photographed
PublishedApril 18, 2013

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