The saucer bug is widespread throughout Europe and the Caucasus, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Eastern Palearctic. Widespread and fairly common throughout country. The saucer bug occurs in ponds, lakes and canals. Spends much of its time hiding in dense vegetation in muddy pond shallows. They are very good swimmers, and when swimming look like water beetles with a dark back and a silver shimmering underside, because of a small sheet of air on the abdomen. A very able underwater predator, feasting on all manner of invertebrates and even tadpoles and small fish. Saucer bug have sharp, pincer-like legs, which enable them to catch their prey. It pierces its prey with a stout rostrum which can inflict a painful ‘bite’ if handled carelessly. When he’s out of the water the saucer bug is able to walk well, he crawls quickly under some leaves or in a safe corner. Overwintered adults mate eggs are laid at spring in the stems of aquatic plants. Adults of the new generation appear in late summer. Although is fully winged most individuals have reduced flight muscles and are unable to fly, but flight has been observed.