| Common Name |
Whirligig Beetle |
| Phylum |
Arthropoda |
| Class |
Insecta |
| Order |
Coleoptera |
| Family |
Gyrinidae |
| Description |
3-16mm. The body is oval, flattened, and black. They have short, clubbed antennae. Their eyes are divided into separate top and bottom sections, giving the impression of two pairs of eyes. Their mid and hind legs are flattened and paddle-like. For more photos, refer to our online gallery: tinyurl.com/rx9224a |
| Habitat |
Lentic-littoral and lotic-depositional. Most commonly in streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes, particularly in quieter waters near the margins. Adults are noticeable on the surface, while larvae live underwater on aquatic plants in the same habitat. |
| Feeding Information |
Larvae prey on small aquatic invertebrates such as worms and midge larvae. Adult Gyrinidae feed on small animals stranded on water surface or scavenge for organic material. They create waves on the water's surface that serve as echolocation to find food. Cannibalistic. |
| Water Quality Tolerance |
Facultative. |
| References |
Voshell & Wright. 2002. |
