Blethisa multipunctata
(Linnaeus, 1758)
multidotted ground beetle, Dimpled Marsh Beetle
Blethisa multipunctata is a ground beetle found along freshwater margins in Europe and parts of North America. It exhibits a rare amphibious lifestyle among carabid beetles, hunting both on land and underwater for extended periods. The species has been observed diving voluntarily and remaining submerged for up to 97 minutes without surfacing for air.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Blethisa multipunctata: /ˈblɛθɪsa ˌmʌltɪˈpʌŋkˌteɪtə/
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Images
Habitat
Stream, river, and lake margins; semi-aquatic shorelines with access to water
Distribution
Europe; Alaska, Canada (North America); recorded in Austria, Belarus, Belgium
Behavior
Enters water spontaneously and dives for prey; can remain submerged for over 1 hour without renewing respiratory air; uses trapped air as a physical gill rather than storing oxygen; periodically surfaces briefly during extended dives before descending again; shows behavioral rather than morphological or physiological adaptations for amphibious life