Anacaena limbata

Description

2.4-3.2mm. A small and variable water beetle. Generally brown, often with a darker spot in the middle of the elytra across the suture. As with all Anacaena species, the elytral punctures are random and there are no striae. A. limbata is highly domed and is best identified by the extent of the greyish fur on the hind femora which covers the entire area with just the apical tip left glossy.

Similar Species

Other Anacaena, particularly lutescens - which has less extensive fur on the hind femora.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
  • 2.4-3.2mm
  • upper surface dark brown or black
  • may have a central dark spot across the suture
  • elytral punctuation random - no striae
  • the mesosternum has a prominent tooth in front of the mid coxa
  • the dense fur-like hair on the hind femora extends to the apical tip
Recording advice

Good, detailed photos required showing the key ID features.

Habitat

Shallow water.

When to see it

All year but most common in Spring.

UK Status

Common across most of England.

VC55 Status

Common but under-recorded.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Beetles
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Hydrophilidae
Records on NatureSpot:
14
First record:
02/05/1995 (Derek Lott)
Last record:
17/05/2025 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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