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 Beetle Larvae”
Genus Overview
14 species in North America. Larvae are found in gravel along larger rivers generally near the shore.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 5.5 and higher
Midwest: 3.7 and higher
Mid-Atlantic: 4 and higher
FEEDING HABITS
Engulfer / Predator
MOVEMENT
Climber
Swimmer
Swimmer
DISTRIBUTION
Southeast
HABITAT
Lentic-littoral
Lotic-depositional
Lotic-depositional
Diagnostic Characters
Order
Eye Spots
Lateral Gills USUALLY Absent
USUALLY 4-5-Segmented Legs
Family
4 Posterior Hooks
5-Segmented Legs + Claws
Lateral Gills
Genus
Head with collar
+ Expanded Character List
Order:
Larvae: Usually without lateral abdominal gills. If gills present, then 4 hooks clustered on segment 10. Thoracic legs each usually with 4 or 5 segments and with 1 or 2 claws; if without legs, head distinctly sclerotized and posterior body (thorax and abdomen) simple, without gills, hair brushes, suckers, or breathing tube. Eye spots usually present, but compound eyes absent.
Family:
Legs 5-segmented plus 2 tarsal claws. Abdominal segments 1–9 with lateral gills. Abdominal segment 10 (posterior-most segment) with 4 stout hooks.
Genus:
Head with a distinct collar posteriorly, 4 claws at posterior end, lateral filaments along abdomen
Dorsal
Ventral