The Dytiscidae – based on the Greek dytikos (δυτικός), "able to dive" – are the predaceous diving beetles, a family of water beetles. They occur in virtually any freshwater habitat around the world, but a few species live among leaf litter. The adults of most are between 1 and 2.5 cm (0.4–1.0 in) long, though much variation is seen between species. The European Dytiscus latissimus and Brazilian Megadytes ducalis are the largest, reaching up to 4.5 cm (1.8 in) and 4.75 cm (1.9 in) respectively. In contrast, the smallest is likely the Australian Limbodessus atypicali of subterranean waters, which only is about 0.9 mm (0.035 in) long. Most are dark brown, blackish, or dark olive in color with golden highlights in some subfamilies. The larvae are commonly known as water tigers due to their voracious appetite. They have short, but sharp mandibles and immediately upon biting, they deliver digestive enzymes into prey to suck their liquefied remains. The family includes more than 4,000 described species in numerous genera.
Hydroporus compunctus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is endemic to the Canary Islands.
Hydroporus pilosus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is endemic to the Canary Islands.
Acilius is a holarctic genus of diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae and typically has a life cycle that is univoltine.
Hydroporus erythrocephalus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in the Palearctic, including Europe and the Near East.
Hydroporus pubescens is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in the Palearctic.
Ilybius chalconatus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in the Palearctic.
Coptotomus is a genus of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, the only genus of the subfamily Coptotominae. There are about six described species in Coptotomus, found in North America and the Neotropics.
Austrodytes is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae found only in northern Australia. It was first described in 1978 by Chris Watts. The genus contains these two species:
Hydrodytes is a genus of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. There are at least three described species in Hydrodytes. It is found in North America and the Neotropics.
Microhydrodytes is a genus of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. There is one described species in Microhydrodytes, M. elachistus. It is found in the Neotropics.
Andex is a genus of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. This genus has a single species, Andex insignis.
Lancetes is a genus of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, the only member of the subfamily Lancetinae. There are more than 20 described species in Lancetes, found in Australasia and the Neotropics.
Exocelina cheesmanae is a species of diving beetle. It is part of the genus Exocelina in the subfamily Copelatinae of the family Dytiscidae. It was described by J. Balfour-Browne in 1939.
Dytiscinae is a subfamily of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. There are at least 20 genera and 380 described species in Dytiscinae.
Agabinus is a genus of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. There are at least two described species in Agabinus. They are found in North America.
Cybistrini is a tribe of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. There are 7 genera and 128 described extant species in Cybistrini. The same set is also called Cybistrinae by authors viewing it as a subfamily of Dytiscidae.
Hydrodytes dodgei is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America.
Hydrodytinae is a subfamily of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. There are at least two genera and four described species in Hydrodytinae.
Madaglymbus is a genus of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. There are about 15 described species in Madaglymbus. They are found in Africa.
