diving beetle

noun

: any of various predatory aquatic beetles (family Dytiscidae) that breathe while submerged using air trapped under their elytra

Examples of diving beetle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Capelatus prykei, a 0.3-inch diving beetle found in Cape Town wetlands, is an orphan of a bug, earning it its own genus. Brenda Poppy, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2015 But such lenses have been around for millions of years, on the nightmarish face of the sunburst diving beetle. Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2011 Various species of aquatic insects, such as the predaceous diving beetle, use bubbles for breathing underwater. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 May 2021 From horror to hope Scientists have known for a few decades that diving beetles share the waterlogged limestone cavern known as Devil’s Hole with the pupfish. Jason Bittel, National Geographic, 1 Mar. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diving beetle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diving beetle was circa 1889

Dictionary Entries Near diving beetle

Cite this Entry

“Diving beetle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diving%20beetle. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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