THE ANATOMY OF A BEETLE

Dytiscus marginicollis - Giant green predacious water beetle 

(Part 2)   

The images of a giant green predacious diving beetle are striking because of the appendages on the male’s feet, its armor, and vast array of spikes on its legs. The spikes hold prey and then during sex the males have suction cups to grasp the female during mating. The robust muscles and tendons was one of the most impressive things I uncovered during the dissection. 

The above picture is the front leg of a female giant green predaceous diving beetle (FGB).

This is the front leg of the male PDB with the red arrow pointing to the suction cup used to hold onto the female during copulation.

A close-up of the suction cup on the leg of the male PDB.

The three legs of the male PDB are very similar to those of the female, except she has no suction cup on the fore leg. Note the tendons on the tops of the two smaller legs. The feathered elements add to its ability to swim.