HOW ARE WATER BEETLES ABLE TO STAY UNDERWATER FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME?

Whirligig beetles in a pond
Whirligig beetles
N53_Beetle_2

Some water beetles such as the whirligig beetle go under water with an air bubble that serves as a lung: oxygen from water dissolves into the balloon, and carbon dioxide from the beetle dissolves into the water via the bubble. Using this simple mechanism, beetles can stay underwater for long. The whirligig beetle, for example, can fly or crawl on water, in addition to submerging.

Its compound eyes can see below and above pond water but they lose effectiveness when they come into contact with water. Its eyes are kept oiled to repel water.

Water bugs are beetles that live in water and swim by usings their legs as paddles.
Water bug
N53_Beetle_4

Recent posts

July 23, 2018
female peacock spider on a piece of dry wood

July 21, 2018
Velvet ant on a green leaf

July 19, 2018
Dragonfly resting on plant

9 Obscure Facts And Myths About Dragonflies and Damselflies

July 15, 2018
Honeybee on a piece of wood

July 13, 2018

July 11, 2018

Join us on social media or subscribe!

Sign up to receive our articles in your inbox!

Enter your name and email address below to subscribe.