Hydrobius fuscipes

Hydrobius fuscipes

Description

Length 6 to 8 mm with dark brown or black elytra, each with 10 grooved striae - the grooves fading towards the front, especially centrally. The legs are paler brown. The antennae have black clubs.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
  • 6-8mm
  • Dark brown/black – domed body
  • Elytral striae strongly grooved in the rear – fading to the front
  • Legs paler brown
  • Antennae with black clubs
Habitat

Usually found in ponds and small pools with bank side vegetation.

When to see it

All year round, but peaking July to September.

Life History

The larvae usually appear in May or June and feed on small insects in the water. The adults feed on submerged detritus.

UK Status

Widespread and quite common in Britain.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records