Haliplidae (crawling water beetles)

The crawling water beetles (Hali­plidae) are small beetles of short navicular shape and yellow to auburn color with black spots. They are found in stagnant water and quiet streams and live in the aquatic vegetation. They feed on water plants (e.g. algae) as well as small crustaceans and mosquito eggs. They are able to fly, but swim poorly using an alternate motion of the legs. With their thin, cursorial legs they rather prefer to get around crawling on water plants than swimming. In Germany 20 species are known to occur (worldwide somewhat more than 200 in all biogeographical realms). Their determination is not easy and in most cases comparison of photos does not work.