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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Adephaga » Predaceous Diving Beetles (Dytiscidae) » Dytiscinae » Dytiscus » Harris's Diving Beetle (Dytiscus harrisii)
Photo#482553
Dytiscus harrisii - female
Copyright © 2011 metrioptera

Dytiscus harrisii - Female
Dedham, Hancock County, Maine, USA
June 5, 2007
Size: about 4.5 cm
I had found this beetle under a rock and fed it earthworms, but I also discovered that she would eat salamanders as well. I believe the salamander is a Red-back.

Images of this individual: tag all
Dytiscus harrisii - female Dytiscus harrisii - female Dytiscus harrisii - female
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Contributed by metrioptera on 1 January, 2011 - 3:48pm
Last updated 26 January, 2011 - 5:10pm

I concur w/ the ID
the coloration of the underside is unmistakable.
… Tim Loh, 2 January, 2011 - 11:53pm login or register to post comments

Dytiscus harrisii
Quite certain it is a female Dytiscus harrisii. Ventral coloration, shape of metacoxal process and metatrochanters is a spot-on match to my specimens. Brady - good suggestion to ask for pics of the venter and nice job getting the right shots!

D. harrisii is often found in aquatic situations with at least a little flow. Does this describe the habitat?
… Eric Chapman, 2 January, 2011 - 8:10pm login or register to post comments

 
Habitat
There was a small stream nearby, with a little flow, but at some times in the year, it would dry up. The stream was surrounded by forest, and there was a fairly large lake about a mile away. Also, there were many artificial lights near the rock where the beetle was found, so it may have been attracted to these.
… metrioptera, 3 January, 2011 - 7:09am login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… v belov, 2 January, 2011 - 8:03pm login or register to post comments

For what it's worth,
the salamander is a Redback, P. cinereus
… Anthony Rodgers, 1 January, 2011 - 9:00pm login or register to post comments

I'm not that familiar with th
I'm not that familiar with the eastern species. Do you have any photos of the beetle's venter? The ventral color pattern is a useful character. A close up shot of the metacoxal process would be very helpful, too.
… Brady Richards, 1 January, 2011 - 4:27pm login or register to post comments

 
Not yet
I do not have any pictures of the beetle's venter, but I have the (dead) specimen, so I will get some pictures soon. Where is the metacoxal process?
… metrioptera, 2 January, 2011 - 7:32am login or register to post comments

 
The metacoxae
are the first joints (or "hips") of the rear legs. See glossary entry here.
… Ken Wolgemuth, 2 January, 2011 - 10:42am login or register to post comments

 
Thank you!
Photos submitted.
… metrioptera, 2 January, 2011 - 11:44am login or register to post comments

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