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Brown diving beetle

Brown diving beetle

Most small water beetles are black, so the brown diving beetle Agabus brunneus stands out.

These elusive insects have been recorded from a few New Forest heathland streams including Widden Bottom (otherwise they are restricted to west Cornwall and Dorset heathlands). Peak time is about September but in theory the beetles can be found all year round, although there are only five records in the Forest from 2001-2011. Even some specialists have failed to locate specimens year after year!

brown diving beetle agabus

The ideal habitat is a stream surrounded by gorse and heather, with long marginal vegetation trailing into the water combined with water which is intermediate in flow between a riffle and a pool. Partial shade might be beneficial. The streams dry up at times and in these conditions, these beetles burrow deep into the gravel, making them even more difficult to locate. When there is water, the beetles occasionally sit on pebbles in the water but are more likely underneath pebbles.

Conservation status: RDB2 – Red list, vulnerable (just about holding on in Britain!)

Photo: Paul D. Brock


ID Tip

ID Tip

7.5-9 mm long, a broadly oval, brown flightless species.

Gillie
Molland
Lead Ranger

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'To help ground nesting birds rear their young safely, keep yourself, dogs and ridden horses on the main tracks from the beginning of March to the end of August.'

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