“Whirligig Beetles”
Genus Overview
This is a large and widespread genus with 41 species in North America. Adults are swimmers on the water surface (neuston) and divers in lentic habitats and slower parts of streams, scavengers and predators of small insects.
Adult members of the genus Gyrinus often emit a bad smell and taste in order to deter predators.
Adult members of the genus Gyrinus often emit a bad smell and taste in order to deter predators.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 6.3 and higher
Midwest: 3.6 and higher
Mid-Atlantic: 4 and higher
0 = least tolerant, 10 = most tolerant
FEEDING HABITS
Engulfer / Predator
MOVEMENT
Diver
Swimmer
Swimmer
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread (east of the Rocky Mtns.)
HABITAT
Lentic-littoral
Lotic-depositional
Lotic-depositional
Diagnostic Characters
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