Noteridae is a family of water beetles closely related to the Dytiscidae, and formerly classified with them. They are mainly distinguished by the presence of a distinctive "noterid platform" underneath, in the form of a plate between the second and third pair of legs. The family consists of about 230 species in 14 genera, and is found worldwide, more commonly in the tropics. They are sometimes referred to as burrowing water beetles.
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.
Copelatus is a large genus of small diving beetles. There are some 470 described species in the genus, found worldwide, but they are most diverse in tropical South America, Africa and South-East Asia.
Laccophilus is a genus of water beetle found in nearly every temperate or tropical region in the world including but not limited to Europe, the Near East, the Nearctic, North Africa and the Oriental region. It contains the following species:
Haliplus is a genus of crawling water beetles in the family Haliplidae. There are at least 180 described species in Haliplus. They are found worldwide, except for Antarctica, living among algae and aquatic vegetation at edges of ponds, lakes, and streams. They range in size from 1.75 to 5 mm.
Aglymbus is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Hypodessus is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Liodessus is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Neobidessus is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Yola is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Hydrovatus is a genus of water beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Desmopachria is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Derovatellus is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Orectogyrus is a genus of beetles in the family Gyrinidae, containing the following species:
Neohydrocoptus is a genus of beetles in the family Noteridae, containing the following species:
Canthydrus is a genus of beetles in the family Noteridae, containing the following species:
Hydrocanthus is a genus of beetles in the family Noteridae, containing the following species:
Suphisellus is a genus of beetles in the family Noteridae, containing the following species:
Synchortus is a genus of beetles in the family Noteridae, containing the following species:
