The species Eretes australis (subfamily Dytiscinae) is one of the most common and widespread water beetles in Australia, as well as being the only species in the genus to be found in Australia, as well as found from Asia to Europe.

Also commonly known as the Padded Diving Beetle, this diving beetle is found in both permanent or temporary aquatic habitats. The adults of this species are strong fliers, sometimes attracted to lights at night and can end up in swimming pools.

They have a smooth, elongated-oval shaped body ranging up to 40 mm in length. The common name of Padded Diving Beetle, describes the adult male that have padded feet by which they grip the female when mating.

Pictured here, the Eretes australis was rescued from a local swimming pool in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

Eretes australis (subfamily Dytiscinae), Alice Springs NT
Eretes australis (subfamily Dytiscinae), Alice Springs NT
Eretes australis (subfamily Dytiscinae), Alice Springs NT
Eretes australis (subfamily Dytiscinae), Alice Springs NT
Eretes australis (subfamily Dytiscinae), Alice Springs NT
Eretes australis (subfamily Dytiscinae), Alice Springs NT

  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Subphylum: Hexapoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Subclass: Pterygota
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Suborder: Adephaga
  • Superfamily: Dytiscoidea
  • Family: Dytiscidae
  • Subfamily: Dytiscinae
  • Genus: Eretes
  • Species: Eretes australis

Footnote & References

  1. Padded Diving Beetle (Eretes australis), iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/533293-Eretes-australis
  2. Eretes Castelnau, 1833, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Eretes
  3. Dytiscidae, Water Beetles or Predacious Diving Beetles, CSIRO, https://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/coleoptera_families/dytiscidae.html
  4. Eretes australis (Erichson, 1842), GBIF, Global Biodiversity Information Facility, https://www.gbif.org/species/5809855

ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Blackburnium cavicolle Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Chalcopteroides (Chalcopterus Beetle) Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Hydrophilus Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Neospades sp Lycidae Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Phorticosomus sp Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp Rhipiceridae Scarabaeidae Tenebrionidae Xylophilostenus octophyllus

InsectsBees Beetles Blattodea Butterflies Coleoptera Cicada Crabronidae Diptera Dragonflies & Damselflies Formicidae Hemiptera Heteroptera Moths Orthoptera Orthopteroid Processionary Caterpillar Stink Bugs, Shield Bugs and Allies Wasps Water Scorpion (Laccotrephes tristis) Witchetty Grub