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#whirligig beetles
antiqueanimals · 1 year
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The First Book of Bugs. Written and illustrated by Margaret Williamson. 1949.
Internet Archive
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uncharismatic-fauna · 28 days
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Uncharismatic Fact of the Day
Most people get dizzy if they spin around, but whirligig beetles don't! This group of beetles is known for spinning in erratic circles on the surface of lakes and ponds, much like the whirling children's toys they're named after! Whirligig beetles spend almost their whole lives in the water, and as result have developed unique adaptations including two pairs of compound eyes-- one to look over the water's surface and another to look underwater.
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(Image: A whirligig beetle (family Gyrinidae) with an air bubble attached to its abdomen for breathing, by Jim Rathert)
If you send me proof that you’ve made a donation to UNRWA or another organization benefiting Palestinians– including esim donations– I’ll make art of any animal of your choosing.
As a bonus, enjoy this very relaxing video of whirligig beetles swimming on the water:
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bugslug · 9 months
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thinking about whirligig beetles
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rcannon992 · 8 months
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Gyrinid summer: photographing whirligig beetles
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sorrcha · 9 months
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some creatures! drew them all as part of my last internship project at the nature center. they'll be used for identifying different animals that are found in the local pond :-)
click for better quality!
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vintagewildlife · 4 months
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Whirligig beetles By: Unknown photographer From: Wildlife Fact-File 1990s
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aberrantceramics · 4 months
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Whirligig Beetle Pot Continuing my theme of putting weird faces on the dorsal surface on an insect's body.
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ratcandy · 14 days
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i just wanted to piss you off
- thrip anon
ok well in retaliatio
THIS POST HAS BEEN HIJACKED BY THE
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LOOKINTO ITS EYES. DISSIPATE INTO NOTHINGNESS
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morbidsmenagerie · 5 months
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Whirligig beetles eating a mealworm.
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galacticnova3 · 2 months
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I found three big isopods under a muddy brick. Collectively they are The Ancient Ones, and I was gonna make a poll to let my fine followers choose their names(with great options such as Cringe, Based, and Pillbugged/Bugpilled, Kung, Pow, and Penis, and Boston, Molasses, and Disaster— among others) but this very functional site decided to simply delete the post the three times I tried to make it. So I’ve decided to name them after a note from a previous class’ lesson that I saw on a whiteboard in college with no context instead.
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The whiteboard note
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So this means I now have The Penis Musicians and The Ancient Ones as far as little guy gangs/creacher crews go.
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dailybeetles · 3 months
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beetle of the day #2 - 1/16/2024
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todays beetle of the day is the whirligig beetle!!! theyre a type of water beetle that live in freshwater, and swim in circles when frightened to avoid predators!! theyre super awesome because they actually have 4 eyes in total, to watch out for predator and prey above and below water!!
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antiqueanimals · 1 year
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A Textbook in General Zoology. Written by Henry R. Linville, Henry A. Kelly, Harley J. Van Cleave. 1929.
Internet Archive
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pile-of-bugs · 2 years
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Check out this little dude. This is a whirligig beetle!
They get their name (i think) from the way they love to rapidly swim around in circles. They're a common sight on the shores of any freshwater pond or lake in the Summer.
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Their sleek, streamlined design serves a similar purpose as in diving beetles - to make them hydrodynamic (faster in the water). And they are quite fast swimmers! You'd be hard pressed to catch one without a net.
Here's a couple of them swimming! Look at that stroke! Little Olympic contenders! They even have a little "paddle" on their rear that helps them push through the water!
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Their speed is mostly for evading predators. Their food sources aren't very fast - consisting mostly of water mites, snails, and small insect larvae. These guys, like dragonfly nymphs, help cut down on mosquito larvae, making them very beneficial!
But above all, I think the coolest thing about whirligig beetles is this:
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Look closely - these beetles have FOUR EYES. Now, having more than 2 eyes is actually pretty common in the insect world. Many have 3 or more eyes. However, these "extra" eyes are usually small ocelli, or "simple eyes" that can't do much besides sensing the relative light level throughout the day.
Whirligig beetles have 4, real-deal, massive compound eyes that give them excellent vision. But why 4? It has to do with the fact that whirligigs swim on the exact surface of the water! Two of their eyes look above for predators, while the two on the bottom search for prey (and for other predators)!
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(image source: National Geographic)
This amazing adaptation is similar to the four-eyed fish. It only has 2 eyes, but each one has two pupils, giving it the same ability as the whirligig beetle!
Next time you're near a freshwater shore, look for these cool little swimmers. The beetles themselves might be a little tough to spot, but the swirling of water and subsequent ripples they make will make it obvious when they're around.
Hope you enjoyed these tid-bits about these bugs! It goes to show that even common insects can have mesmerizingly cool traits of their own!
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saucylobster · 9 months
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My early route bug, based on whirligig beetles and water boatmen. Whirlitub are frantic pokemon, struggling to remain still for very long before zooming off across the waters surface. Surviving in groups they often engage in play behaviour such as racing and synchronised swimming. Inquisitive pokemon, Whirlitub often follow other pokemon for no real reason and can form a sizeable entourage. Tuggbutt have calmed down considerable and enjoy leisurely letting the river dictate their journey. Capable of determined speed if necessary, they paddle their elongate legs like oars, capable of fighting against even fierce currents. Helpful and friendly, many a Tuggbutt has been seen giving a ride to smaller pokemon.
--Attack Info-- --Ability Info--
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feral-babe · 6 months
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The Eight of Shells encapsulates themes of transition, abandonment, and the pursuit of inner fulfillment. It often serves as a visual metaphor for the pivotal decision to leave behind something emotionally unfulfilling or something we have outgrown. This card asks us to welcome change, heed the call of our inner selves, and embark on a quest for deeper personal growth and meaning.
The aquatic whirligig beetles navigate both the water's surface and the depths below, with their unique eyes capable of simultaneously perceiving above and below waterline worlds. Their inherent ability to transition between environments serves as a powerful symbol for embracing diverse experiences and seeking a higher understanding of the environment.
This card tells the story of a willingness to leave behind the familiar, setting sail on a journey in search of something more meaningful. It serves as a reminder that personal growth often necessitates the courage to depart from the safe harbors of what's known and venture into uncharted territories. It underscores that by shedding what no longer serves us, we fling open the doors to new experiences and deeper wisdom.
In essence, the whirligig beetles, with their dynamic existence and adaptability, are living metaphors for the transformative power of embracing change. Their presence in this card speaks to the idea that by recognizing when it's time to cast off the anchors of the past and by courageously facing new challenges, we can find a more meaningful path forward on the journey of life. The Eight of Shells is a potent reminder that our pursuit of inner fulfillment and personal growth often involves abandoning the old and familiar, thus allowing room for new experiences to flourish. It encourages us to be unafraid to navigate the currents of change and welcome the winds of transformation with open arms.
Prints available on Redbubble and Inprnt
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el-im · 1 year
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