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 and 4.75 cm 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.
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:
Hyphydrus is a genus of diving beetle native to the Palearctic, the Afro-tropical region, the Near East, North Africa. It contains the following species:
Bidessus is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Clypeodytes is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Hydroglyphus is a genus of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. There are more than 90 described species in Hydroglyphus, found in Africa, Australasia, Indomalaya, and the Palearctic.
Leiodytes is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Peschetius is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Platydytes is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Yola is a genus of diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. There are more than 40 described species in Yola, found in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Canthyporus 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:
Herophydrus is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
Hyphovatus 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:
Copelatus amatolensis is a species of diving beetle. It is part of the genus Copelatus of the subfamily Copelatinae in the family Dytiscidae. It was described by Omer-Cooper in 1965.
Copelatus ejactus is a species of diving beetle. It is part of the genus Copelatus in the subfamily Copelatinae of the family Dytiscidae. It was described by Omer-Cooper in 1965.
Copelatus notius is a species of diving beetle. It is part of the genus Copelatus in the subfamily Copelatinae of the family Dytiscidae. It was described by Omer-Cooper in 1965.
Copelatus piriensis is a species of diving beetle. It is part of the genus Copelatus in the subfamily Copelatinae of the family Dytiscidae. It was described by Omer-Cooper in 1965.
Bidessini is a tribe of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. There are at least 40 genera and at least 630 described species in Bidessini.
