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Index of Bugs
The whirligig beetle is from the family Gyrinidae of insects in the order of Coleoptera, which means beetles. They can be found gliding across the surfaces of ponds, lakes, or quiet streams. A whirligig beetle can swim in small circles. This motion gives them their name because they seem to whirl on the water’s surface. This whirling behavior confuses its predators.
The beetle swims with half its body out of the water and half its body under the water. Their short, paddle-like back legs are used for swimming. Their long, slender front legs are used for grasping and gathering prey. Adult whirligig beetles are carnivores as well as scavengers. They prey on other aquatic insects and dead or dying insects that fall into the water.
Before diving below the water surface, the beetle traps a bubble of air under its abdomen, allowing it to stay under the water for quite a while.
Whirligig beetles have compound eyes that are divided into two parts. They use their specialized eyes to watch for prey and predators below and above the water surface.
Adult Whirligig beetles have well-developed wings. This means they can fly from one pond to another if a water source dries up.
Female whirligig beetles lay their eggs in masses on underwater plants. The eggs hatch into larvae in about two weeks’ time. Whirligig beetle larvae are aquatic and carnivorous.
To learn more about Whirligig beetles and to see them in action, order the Backyard Bugs DVD.
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