# Whirligig Beetle (*Dineutus discolor*) Whirligig Beetles are fun little bugs that love to zoom around on the water's surface. They have big eyes that help them see above and below the water at the same time! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Ponds and lakes - **Also known as:** Gyrinidae, Gyrinus Beetle ![Whirligig Beetle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425888/objects/5560.jpg) ## Appearance The Whirligig Beetle has a sleek, oval body that is shiny black or dark metallic, appearing flattened and streamlined for water. It is uniquely identifiable by its eyes, which are split to allow simultaneous viewing above and below the water. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Gyrinidae - **Genus:** Dineutus ## Interesting facts - Baby whirligig beetles have feathery gills along their bodies to breathe underwater! - They often "dance" in swirling groups on the water's surface to confuse attackers! - Whirligig beetles can also swim \*underwater\* by trapping an air bubble to breathe! - Whirligig beetles have extremely sensitive antennae for detecting ripples on water! ## Special abilities - **Dual View:** Whirligig Beetles have uniquely divided eyes that let them see both above and below the water at the same time. - **Hydrodynamic Glide:** Whirligig Beetles can swiftly glide across the water's surface because of their flattened, oval body shape. - **Chemical Cloud:** Whirligig Beetles can release a foul-smelling chemical that helps them deter predators when threatened. - **Surface Communication:** Whirligig Beetles can create ripples on the water to send signals and find mates. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 10-20 mm - **Size:** 5-10 mm - **Lifespan:** 150-300 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Whirligig beetles are agile hunters that eat smaller insects found on or near water. - **Age differences:** Larvae also hunt small aquatic invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** mosquito larvae, small aquatic insects, daphnia, small crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Whirligig beetles actively hunt mosquito larvae in water. - **Eaten by:** [Yellow Perch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-perch) (*Perca flavescens*) — Fish like perch prey on adult and larval whirligig beetles. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Bullfrogs are known to eat various aquatic insects, including beetles. - **Eaten by:** Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Ducks often feed on insects found on the water's surface. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Whirligig Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Whirligig Beetle's wingspan? 10-20 mm ### How big is Whirligig Beetle? 5-10 mm ### How long does Whirligig Beetle live? 150-300 days ### How fast can Whirligig Beetle fly? 10 km/h ### What does Whirligig Beetle eat? Whirligig beetles are agile hunters that eat smaller insects found on or near water. ### Where is Whirligig Beetle usually found? Ponds and lakes ### How does Whirligig Beetle hunt? Pursuit ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Whirligig Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/whirligig-beetle)