Hygrobiidae

Common name
Screech beetles
Number of species
1
Size Range
10-10mm
Tarsal formula
5-5-5

Images:

  • Hygrobia hermanni
Description

This family is represented by a single species in the British Isles, the screech beetle Hygrobia hermanni (Fabricius).  A large (9mm) yellow and black water beetle, it is found in ponds and ditches, often in the soft mud where both adults and larvae are predatory.  It can stridulate loudly when disturbed, hence the common name.