“The anti-reflective properties provided by the maze-like nanostructures likely serve to improve the optical properties of the whirligig overwater eyes. The above water eye is “rough” and covered in bumpy nanostructures arranged in a maze-like pattern, while the underwater eye is smooth. Viewed from the side you can see compound eyes of the whirligig beetle, one looking up, another looking down. Underwater eye (b, d, f, h). Life at the interface of two worlds, one of air and the other of water, presents interesting challenges. Click/tap images for attribution and license information. One of the eyes on each side allows them to see underwater and … You usually see this aquatic beetle swimming around and around in circles on the surface of a pond searching for prey. Bug of the Week enjoyed “Secret Weapons” by Thomas Eisner, Maria Eisner, and Melody Siegler, and “Under- and over-water halves of Gyrinidae beetle eyes harbor different corneal nanocoatings providing adaptation to the water and air environments” by Artem Blagodatski, Michail Kryuchkov, Anton Sergeev, Andrey A. Klimov, Maxim R. Shcherbakov, Gennadiy A. Enin and Vladimir L. Katanaev, that provided the fascinating information for this episode. Since 2008, an evolving team at Biomimicry Institute has been hard at work developing and curating content that helps innovators find inspiration in nature. A unique feature of most beetles in this genus is their divided eyes. They have evolved two unique sets of eyes, one pair gazing upward above the water’s surface, one downward-looking pair immersed in the water below. To accommodate this, whirligig beetles have eyes with different structures to match the refractive indexes of both air and water, allowing them to observe objects both under water and above the surface simultaneously, without compromising focusing sensitivity. A unique feature of most beetles in this genus is their divided eyes. The anti-reflection effect of corneal nanocoatings is achieved by gradually matching the refractive index of the air to that of the lens material. It really has two eyes that are split in half. Antennae reduced to short peg-like structures. They are pretty impressive on the water’s surface – they row in straight lines and circles with their flattened and fringed middle and hind pairs of legs (they hold their front pair of legs, which are modified for grasping, forward). Bombadier beetle. A swarm of Whirligig beetles, some sparkling in the sunlight. Whirligig beetles (Gyrinidae: ... For “unsighted beetles” we obstructed both dorsal eyes with a mark from a blue paintpen, and left the ventral eyes unobscured. The line connecting the whirligig beetle and submarine represents a limit to turning performance for rigid bodies and corresponds to ω=99.25L 0.835. Carpet beetles. The whirligig beetle has bifocal eyes to see above and below pond water, but that is the least of its marvels. Whirligig beetles’ eyes are split—handy for a predator, because half of each eye lies below the water line and half rises above it, so they can view two worlds at once. Most species are very similar in general app… Eyes of the whirligig beetle have different surfaces to match the refractive indexes of both air and water. All photos and video are copyright of Michael J. Raupp unless otherwise noted. Find out more about our cookie policy here. They are capable of diving underwater if threatened. Most species have eyes adapted to one environment and do not focus well in the other environment. It seems to have four eyes, two above the water and two below the water. When doing the latter, it takes along an air bubble that acts like a lung. Whirligig beetle. The rapid, swirling movements of whirligigs are thought to help confound visually hunting predators. They have two eyes (one on top of the other) on the left and two eyes on the right (positioned in the same way). Each eye is completely… Under- and over-water halves of Gyrinidae beetle eyes harbor different corneal nanocoatings providing adaptation to the water and air environments. Interesting Facts: Whirligig beetles’ eyes are divided, This allows them to see above and below the waterline at the same time. This beetle zips in wild patterns all around the surface of quiet water. Whirligig beetles have two pairs of compound eyes: one pair looks upwards, over the water's surface, while the other looks down, underwater. The four eyes that Erin noticed are a unique feature of the whirligig beetle family, Gyrinidae. It can fly, crawl, walk on water or submerge. * Have compound eyes that are divided into two parts. They have evolved two unique sets of eyes, one pair gazing upward above the water’s surface, one downward-looking pair immersed in the water below. Whirligig beetles (Coleoptera: Family Gyrinidae) live in an exposed habitat: the water surface of ponds, lakes, and streams, where they aggregate in large rafts, some Why do you think this would be a good adaptation? Practice biomimicry or advance your biomimicry concept with our support. Whirligig beetles are easily identified by their habit of circling rapidly on the surface of the water, usually in groups. The front legs are long and slim, while the middle and hind pairs are short and flattened and function as oars. They are the Whirligig Beetle, Crawling Beetle, and the Predacious Diving Beetle. All it takes is a quick look with a magnifying glass to notice that these beetles have two fully formed compound eyes looking up at the sky, and a second fully … Body dorsally flattened. Some observers comment that these beetles seem to gyrate on the water’s surface. Bug of the Week is written by "The Bug Guy," Michael J. Raupp, Professor of Entomology at the University of Maryland. Size: 3 to 35 mm Habitat: Often congregate in both slow-, and fast-moving waters, especially in streams and ponds. Whirligig Beetle Family: GYRINIDAE Identification: Black, or nearly black, flattened and streamlined for aquatic life. Pond species often fly to large streams and lakes to overwinter. The whirligig beetle hunts on the surface of water, with one eye submerged underwater to hunt for prey, while the other eye stays above the water to keep watch for predators. Fireflies. Most species inhabit fresh water but a few occupy mixohaline habitats. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. The four eyes that Erin noticed are a unique feature of the whirligig beetle family, Gyrinidae. Another adaptation is a foul smelling, pygidial gland secretion called gyrinidal that acts as a chemical irritant towards predators. All it takes is a quick look with a magnifying glass to notice that these beetles have two fully formed compound eyes looking up at the sky, and a second fully formed pair looking down below the … The whirligig beetles, with approximately 700 species worldwide, are common inhabitants of freshwater ponds, lake margins, streams, bogs, swamps, and roadside ditches (Figures 14 and 15).They often form large aggregations in late summer and autumn that may contain one species or more than a dozen. They have well-developed wings and can fly well. You usually see this aquatic beetle swimming around and around in circles on the surface of a pond searching for prey. Whirligig beetles have a unique solution to this visual dilemma. Eyes divided into 2 portions by lateral margin of head; one dorsal and one ventral when viewed from the side (Fig. Imagine the dilemma of a surface dwelling insect faced with the prospects of attempting to keep an eye open for predatory fish lurking below while simultaneously monitoring for hungry birds ready to pounce from above. The whirligig beetle hunts on the surface of water, with one eye submerged underwater to hunt for prey, while the other eye stays above the water to keep watch for predators. We use cookies to give you the best browsing experience. Downward-facing eyes that peer into the relative gloom below the surface lack these nanostructures. Amazing! Whirligig Beetles Active. They get their common name from their habit of swimming rapidly in circles when alarmed, and are also notable for their divided eyes which are believed to enable them to see both above and below water. Having crossed the optical threshold of unaided vision many years ago, I find having four eyes - that is, wearing glasses - to be incredibly useful, especially when trying to observe the antics of very small creatures like insects. Each eye is divided into two parts, one for viewing things above water, the other for seeing underwater. Commonly known as whirligig beetles, these are aquatic insects that can dive and fly but spend most of their time on the water’s surface, semi-submerged. You’ve seen that objects appear significantly larger underwater than when viewed in air. Air and water have different refractive indexes, which affects the focusing of the eye. Eyes allow clear vision in both air and water. Whirligigs can be distinguished from all other beetles by their short, clubbed antennae and their two pairs of compound eyes—one pair above the water, and one pair below—which helps them to quickly and accurately capture their prey while also evading predators. We use cookies to give you the best browsing experience. The compound eyes are divided, making them appear to have two pairs of compound eyes, one above and one below the water surface. How people can help Whether you live in town or country, you can help to look after garden wildlife by providing food, water and shelter. Because water beetles swim both above and below the water’s surface, they have compound eyes which appear to be two pairs of eyes—one to see below the surface of the water and one to see above it2. Soldier beetles. known insect is a scarab beetle. Sneaking up on a raft of whirligigs plying the gentle currents of the Gunpowder River, the beetles appear orderly and intent on holding their place in the current. Web Editor: Chris SargentWeb Designer: Kris Keochinda, Why four eyes? An-tennae variously shaped.....3 3. No, it doesn’t wear glasses, although that would be pretty funny, but it really does have four eyes. One part is for seeing under water and one is for above water. They have a broad, flattened body with a fringe of hairs. One challenge of course is the very different way light passes through water compared to its passage through air, and how this difference affects vision. Gennadiy A. Enin, Vladimir L. Katanaev. The whirligig beetles are a family (Gyrinidae) of water beetles that normally live on the surface of the water. Spend most of their lives at 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. individual response, or (2) Environmental scanning is enhanced with the addition of more eyes to the group. Don Ingber and the Theory of Cell Tensegrity by Tom McKeag; a portfolio by Myoung Ho Lee; Perspectives on “Stories from the trenches” by Jamie Miller & Michael Helms; Nature, Where Art Thou? 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