order
Coleoptera
“Adult Beetles”
Coleoptera
“Larval Beetles”
Diptera
“True Flies”
Ephemeroptera
“Mayflies”
Hemiptera
“True Bugs”
Lepidoptera
“Aquatic Caterpillars, Snout Moths”
Megaloptera
“Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies”
Odonata
“Dragonflies and Damselflies”
Plecoptera
“Stoneflies”
Trichoptera
“Caddisflies”
family
Gyrinidae
“Whirligig Beetles”
Genus Overview
14 species in North America. Observed swimming on the surface of calm water, near banks of large rivers. Their eyes are divided as adults, giving them the ability to see above and below the surface. Dineutus is larger than the other genera of the family. When disturbed they produce a strong odor believe to deter predators.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 5.5 and higher
Midwest: 3.7 and higher
Mid-Atlantic: 4 and higher
FEEDING HABITS
Engulfer / Predator
MOVEMENT
Diver
Swimmer
Swimmer
DISTRIBUTION
Southeast
HABITAT
Lentic-littoral
Lotic-depositional
Lotic-depositional
Diagnostic Characters
Order
Elytra
Family
4 Eyes
Genus
Scutellum
+ Expanded Character List
Order:
Adults with hardened forewings (elytra) covering the hind wings.
Family:
Short antennae with clubbed apices. Compound eyes divided into separate dorsal and ventral portions ("4-eyed" appearance).
Genus:
Scutellum concealed, length large 8-15.5 mm, divided eyes,
Dorsal
Ventral