“Whirligig Beetle Larvae”
Genus Overview
This genus includes about 41 species in North America North of Mexico, and is widespread across eastern Noth America. Gyrinus includes most of the smaller species in the Gyrinidae family, while Dineutus contains the larger species. In order to deter predators, members of the genus Gyrinus often give off a foul smell and taste when disturbed. Adults and larvae prefer lotic-depositional habitats along the margins and pools of flowing water. Both larvae and adults are engulfing predators, and scavengers of small organisms, however, unlike the larvae, the adults usually hunt at the water’s surface.
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
Climber
Sprawler
Swimmer
Sprawler
Swimmer
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread (east of the Rocky Mtns.)
HABITAT
Lentic-littoral
Lotic-depositional
Lotic-depositional
Diagnostic Characters
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