 Whirligig
beetles are easily
identified by their habit of circling rapidly on the surface of the water,
usually in groups. They are capable of diving underwater if threatened.
Each eye is divided into two parts, one for viewing things above water,
the other for seeing
underwater. Whirligig beetles feed on
insects which have fallen onto
the water surface and also scavenge on dead plant and animal matter. |
| |
 Predaceous
diving beetle adults are very active predators,
eating insect larvae, tadpoles and small fish. They have dark, shiny, compact
bodies. Note the bubble of air this insect is carrying. It is used for
breathing underwater. However, they
 can
also be seen with their abdomens hanging down from the water's surface
getting air. (When collecting aquatic organisms you need to place these
beetles in a separate container because they will eat other insects and
small fish you have collected.) |
|
 The
diving
beetle larvae, also known as "water tigers,"
are also predators with large jaws. They use their powerful jaws to inject
digestive juices into their prey. |
