Taxonomic group
Family: Scirtidae
Diagnostic features
Scirtids are beetles with aquatic larvae and terrestrial adults. The larvae may have an elongated (almost elmid-like) body form, or they can have a wider (cockroach-like) body form. The distinguishing feature of the scirtids is the long, multi-segmented antennae.
Typical habitats
Scirtids can be common in vegetation-covered streams or ponds.
Feeding
Scirtid larvae use comb-like mouthparts to feed on organic detritus on submerged surfaces.
Indicator value
- Hard bottom: 8
- Soft bottom: 6.4
The tolerance values (ranging from 0 to 10) give an indication of which are the sensitive taxa (values of 8 or more) and which are the tolerant taxa (values of 3 or less). For more information see: Indicator species
Scirtids can be common in high quality forested streams, but they can also be common in tree-covered urban ponds. Their presence may therefore reflect more about the abundance of leaf litter than any aspects of water quality. They have tolerance values of 8 (hard bottom sites) and 6.4 (soft bottom sites).