Genus Agabus

Agabus was an early follower and prophet of Christianity during the 1st century AD. See here for more info.

Author: Leach (1817)

Large and diverse holarctic genus; North America: 106 species (1)

5-12.5 mm

Adults:

Species identification is often difficult given the large number of species in the genus and close similarities in appearance between species. However, there are a few exceptions that can be easily identified by colour alone. Examination of male specimens is often most reliable for species ID.

Larvae: similar in appearance to Ilybius larvae

Continent-wide in North America, more diverse in the northern regions

Various freshwater habitats- from vegetation-rich permanent ponds to lotic environments (streams and rivers); some also occur in temporary pools, others inhabit barren, mineral-rich aquatic environs in the arctic and alpine zones (1)

Both adults and larvae are predaceous on smaller aquatic insects

Various; most have been reported to overwinter as adults with breeding, egg laying and immature stages occuring in spring and summer but others may overwinter as larvae and/or eggs. (1)

For keys, full descriptions of biology and ecology, and range information for all known North American Agabus species see:

Larson DJ, Y. Alarie, and RE Roughley. 2000. Predaceous Diving Beetles (Coleoptera: Dysticidae) of the Nearctic Region, with emphasis on the fauna of Canada and Alaska. pp. 481-694.

MCZ: Excellent images of pinned specimens representing 33 species

Discover Life in America: images and descriptions of several species