Post by NellyDee on May 12, 2018 12:58:57 GMT
I spent a fascinating hour (in the sunshine) watching the goings on under the water. In an attempt at getting natural plants and anything living or growing, we moved bucket loads of mud etc from a large puddle (which invariably dried out as the frogs spawned) and dumped it in place in the pond, also move a lot of frog spawn. So first there were lots of minuscule beetles and some water boatmen, masses of pond hoppers, some plants began to grow.
To day I watched the taddies sunning themselves, beetles scurrying about and then I was taken by surprise by what looked like a centipede attach itself to a tadpole, it looked as if it was trying to drag the tadpole along to bottom to under some greenery. I did get some very blurry photos on max zoom. I spent ages going through a very old book I have of ponds, gave up and googled water beetles. There it was! It was Water Beetle Larva that was attacking the tadpole. I am now even more surprised! Just so you know what I am talking about here is the link that shows Water Beetle Larva. scroll down one it is the photo after the beetle.
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/pond-clinic/identifying-creatures-pond/water-beetles/
To day I watched the taddies sunning themselves, beetles scurrying about and then I was taken by surprise by what looked like a centipede attach itself to a tadpole, it looked as if it was trying to drag the tadpole along to bottom to under some greenery. I did get some very blurry photos on max zoom. I spent ages going through a very old book I have of ponds, gave up and googled water beetles. There it was! It was Water Beetle Larva that was attacking the tadpole. I am now even more surprised! Just so you know what I am talking about here is the link that shows Water Beetle Larva. scroll down one it is the photo after the beetle.
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/pond-clinic/identifying-creatures-pond/water-beetles/
