What Are Carnivorous Beetle Larvae Like?

Carnivorous beetle larvae are long and thin and have transparent bodies. Although they have no particular swimming organs they are very good at swimming and they are also relentless predators. They will attach any water creature that is smaller or the same size as themselves and show it no mercy. Among its prey are adult insects and larvae, newts, crustaceans, frogs and even small fish.

The larvae have fierce mouthparts that are ideally suited to their lifestyle, with arched sharp jaws that project from the front of the head. The mouth of the larva is closed at the front; a hollow channel runs through each jaw and opens at the sides. As soon as the mandibles of the larva get hold of the victim, the larva pierces the skin of the prey and paralyses it with poisonous fluid.

While it is about it, the larva also injects some digestive fluid that liquefy the tissues of the victim so that the larva can then just slurp up the mush through its mandibular channels, leaving behind only an empty husk.