There are many thousands of beetle species in Europe. Several of these are of interest to flyfishers either because they are aquatic at some stages in their life cycle or because they get blown onto streams and lakes.
| Soldier Beetle  Cantharis livida |
Sailor Beetle  Cantharus rustica |
Sulphur Beetle  Cteniopus sulphureus |
Details of many other waterside and aquatic beetles can be found in Pat O'Reilly's 245-page full-colour book Matching the Hatch.
O'Reilly, Pat. (1997; 8th reprint 2010) Matching the Hatch. Shrewsbury: Quiller Publishing.
Foster G. N. & Friday L. E. (1988) Key to adults of the water beetles of Britain and Ireland (Part 1). Taunton: Field Studies Council.
Harde K.W. & Severa F. (1984) Field Guide in Colour to Beetles. Littlehampton Book Services.
For anyone interested in aquatic fly life and other freshwater invertebrates - and particularly those who enjoy flyfishing for trout and grayling - Pat O'Reilly's bestselling book Matching the Hatch is an indispensable guide. Author-signed copies are available online here...
Algarve Wildlife - the natural year is an indispensable companion if you intend visiting Portugal. Details...
