#dineutus

These are adults of Dineutus sp., a genus of water beetle in the whirligig family: Gyrinidae. They are a common sight on the surface of many water bodies, which they are especially suited for. Take special notice of their compound eyes. A set of eyes on top that looks up at the air, and a set of eyes on bottom that looks into the water.

The whirligig family gets its name from the rapid circular swimming movements performed by these beetles. They are fast swimmers, up to 1m/s or 2.3mph. 

Though they spend most of their time on the surface breathing air, they can dive into the water to hunt prey, trapping an air bubble under their wings for breathing purposes.

The adults will eat just about anything available, but nothing eats them, due to defensive secretions that repel predators.

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Gyrinidae

Genus: Dineutus

Collected in the lower Hudson River, NY.