Whirligig beetle
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The whirligig beetles are a family (Gyrinidae) of water beetles that normally live on the surface of the water. They get their common name from their habit of swimming rapidly in circles when alarmed, and are also notable for their divided eyes which can see both above and below water.
They have a bubble of air trapped underneath their abdomens which allows them to dive and swim under the water for a long time.
The family includes about 700 species worldwide, in 13 genera.
Reference
- Ross H. Arnett, Jr. and Michael C. Thomas, American Beetles (CRC Press, 2001), chap. 7
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