Solitary-behavior
Guides
Gyrinus minutus
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus minutus is a small whirligig beetle with a Holarctic distribution spanning northern North America and Eurasia. It is distinguished from congeners by its weak swimming ability, solitary behavior among emergent vegetation, and near-absence of volatile defensive compounds. The species exhibits a shortened life cycle of approximately seven weeks from egg to adult and is capable of flight, allowing colonization of new water bodies throughout the summer.