Species of the Month: July

The Gyrinidae are a family of charismatic aquatic Coleoptera commonly known as whirligig beetles, for their gyrating swimming style. Gyrinids are peculiar for having completely divided eyes giving them the appearance of having four eyes: two that peer above the water and two that peer below the water. They swim about on the surface tension of the water kicking with two pairs of paddle-like legs. The species selected for this month is a whirligig beetle in the genus Gyretes. Gyretes can be characterized by a furry pubescence that usually outlines most of the beetle´s body. However, the Gyretes selected here is nearly completely covered in this hairy pubescence. It also happens to be one of the largest known Gyretes. It is found here in Venezuela and I (Grey) am hoping that I will have the opportunity to collect this charismatic gyrinid on this trip.

TLC for the Gyrinidae

One of the undergrads working in the lab (Grey Gustafson) has taken a strong interest in the water beetle family Gyrinidae (beloved my most people as the 'Whirligig beetles', those black things spinning around on the surface of ponds and streams). Among other projects this summer, he has taken up the full recuration of our holdings of this family (ca. 6500 specimens, ca. 160 species). We also arranged a very generous exchange of some synoptic material from the Smithsonian, which has enhanced our taxonomic representation. The newly loved gyrinid collection now contains fully updated taxonomy, header cards, and has been inventoried to the species level. We'll get the PDF of the holdings up eventually.