Family: Dytiscidae
Subfamily: Laccophilinae
Length: 4-7 mm
The hind legs of Laccophilus species are flattened like paddles and have stiff hairs that increase the surface area for better propulsion. Unlike some of the other aquatic beetles, members of the family Dytiscidae move their back legs in unison to swim, rather than alternating left and right.
Beetles in the genus Laccophilus seem to eat primarily insect larvae, but also scavenge bits of detritus from the pond bottom. Interestingly, three or four different species of Laccophilus may live in the same pond and even in the same part of that pond.
While you'll find them most often in the still waters of ponds and lakes, you may also see these beetles in streams.
Left: Another West Virginia beetle in the genus Laccophilus.
