Taken on 8th June 2008. Climbing from a garden pond, it shot away at great speed! They move from pond to pond to lay their eggs.
by wallaby1 Sep 23, 2008 11:23 AM
It was quite a large beetle, climbing up the reed was slower than it's shooting jump across the garden!
by wallaby1 Sep 23, 2008 11:26 AM
This should be a female, the males have suction cups on their front legs for mating purposes.
by wallaby1 Sep 23, 2008 11:29 AM
Taken on 3rd July 2008, 25 days after seeing the adult female beetle. They hatch very quickly and mature to pupate in 3 weeks, so I am assuming this larva is the same beelte.
by wallaby1 Sep 23, 2008 11:33 AM
The larva breathes through the two tubes at the surface on the tail end.
by wallaby1 Sep 23, 2008 11:37 AM
They have to grow quickly in order to not be eaten by predators, their diet includes small fish, tadpoles and fish food!
by wallaby1 Sep 23, 2008 11:41 AM
Off with it's prize, heading for cover.
by wallaby1 Sep 23, 2008 11:43 AM
A detour around a fish, which was around 6 or 7" long. The larva was about 1" long.
by wallaby1 Sep 23, 2008 11:46 AM
Heading for cover amongst Iris leaves to eat lunch!
by wallaby1 Sep 23, 2008 11:48 AM
