THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands |
Identify taxa Jointed legsSix legsColeopteraScirtidae |
Scirtidae (marsh beetles) |
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As their common name suggests, marsh beetles typically live in still waters with aquatic vegetation. Larval marsh beetles are easy to identify because of their long antennae that have many small segments. The larvae live for less than a year and spend only a very short time as adults. The larvae feed on decaying plant material and breathe air. Little is known about adult Scirtidae beyond the fact that they are terrestrial. |
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Size: small to medium Identifying feature(s): long antennae that are made up of many small segments Habitat: edges of still water; on floating plants Tolerance to pollutants: unknown |
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