Formerly known as the Helodidae, family Scirtidae includes 20 British species and are among the least-known aquatic beetle families.  Adults are 1.5-6mm long with soft elytra.  They come to light and can be found in large numbers on vegetation in wet areas: those of genus Scirtes have enlarged hind femora and can jump in a manner similar to the flea beetles of Chrysomelidae. 

Larvae have multi-seqmented antennae, distinguishing them from all other holometabolous insect families.