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May 12, 2021
It's time for today's edition of #BenInNature presented by our friends at Carter Bank & Trust!
The whirligig beetle (family Gyrinidae) may not look all that striking, but once you scratch the surface, this is a truly unusual little critter!
Whirligig beetles are generally found swimming on the surface of the water -- I spotted this one on my recent trip to Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in Augusta, Georgia -- although they can also dive beneath the surface, and many species can even take flight from the water! They get their name from their unusual movements and gyrations while swimming, often swimming rapidly in circles if startled.
One of the most unusual features of the whirligig beetle is that its compound eyes are divided into one part that rests above the water and one part that sits below the water, allowing them to keep an eye out for food and predators both above and below!
These beetles not only have their own built-in periscopes, they also carry scuba tanks! Adult beetles will carry an air bubble beneath the elytra, which is the hard shell that covers the flight wings. This allows the beetle to dive for an extended period of time while breathing comfortably.
Both whirligig beetle adults and larvae are active predators, and they can usually be spotted in slower-moving waterways. They also produce a natural lubricant; when combined with their smooth shape, it makes it extremely difficult to catch one and hold it between your fingers!
ABOUT #BenInNature
Social distancing can be difficult, but it presents a great opportunity to become reacquainted with nature. In this series of posts, Administrator of Science Ben Williams ventures outdoors to record a snapshot of the unique sights that can be found in the natural world. New updates are posted Monday - Friday, with previous posts highlighted on the weekends. This series of posts is made possible thanks to the support of VMNH Corporate Partner Carter Bank & Trust (www.cbtcares.com).
NATURE PHOTO IDENTIFICATIONS
If you discover something in nature that you would like help identifying, be sure to message us right here on Facebook with a picture (please include location and date of picture) and we'll have our experts help you identify it!
