<< Previous Next >>

Whirligig beetle


Whirligig beetle
Photo Information
Copyright: Himanshu Ranade (Xplorer) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 125 W: 13 N: 327] (2187)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2012-03-11
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT, Canon 75-300 1:4-5.6 III USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2013-11-20 7:08
Viewed: 2037
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is a group of Dineutus indicus Aubé, 1838 a species of Whirligig beetle.

This is a heavily cropped image. The workshop has another image which gives an idea of the location of these beetles and their peculiar behavior pattern. In the hot midday sun the group was place din the shadow of the rock..A few at the edges would be exposed to the Sun and would try to get on the inside in the shadow.

The whirligig beetles are a family (Gyrinidae) of water beetles that usually swim on the surface of the water if undisturbed, though they swim actively underwater when threatened. They get their common name from their habit of swimming rapidly in circles when alarmed. The Gyrinidae are surface swimmers for preference. They are known for the bewildering and rapid gyrations in which they swim, and for their gregarious behavior.

Interesting observation on group behavior from wikipedia:

The positions that individuals occupy within a group are determined by a number of factors, thought to include hunger, sex, species, water temperature, age, parasite level and stress level. Research underway on their behavior is directed at investigating the significance of chemical defense in relation to their position in the group. Such studies are of interest in research into aspects of nanotechnology because the beetles' motion may be expected to provide insights into how groups of robots might coordinate movements.

In particular the beetles make behavioral trade-offs that affect their choices of positions within a group. For example, relatively hungry beetles go to the outside of a group, where there is less competition for finding food, but higher risk of encountering predators. Males are also more likely to be found on the outside of groups (although grouping is not known to be relevant to mating behavior in this family). The economies that the beetles can gain by suitably adjusting their positions within the group, are important when individuals swim against the flow of a stream. By swimming behind other beetles they can take advantage of forward-moving drafts. Such action is called drafting. The determination of forward/backward positioning within a group has been found to be affected in a complex manner by a combination of water speed, sex of the beetle, and the type of predator (bird or fish) that a beetle has most recently observed.
nagraj, maaciejka, Hotelcalifornia, lousat, kinglove, anel, drchoneydew, Chiza has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2013-11-20 7:18]

Hello Himanshu,
What a remarkable photo. Never seen something like this before. Excellent sharpness and beautiful natural colours. Great to see the other photo in the workshop.
Regards,
Peter

hallo Himanshu
great picture with so many beetles together
great details and nice colours
thanks greeting lou

Hello Himanshu
Amazing beetle! never seen before.
superb clarity and colour.
taken from a good angle to show the beauty of this creature.
best wishes,
samiran da

Hello Himanshu,
Yes,this is new to me,excellent capture with great details and a beautiful composition.
Regards,
Joy

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1618 W: 106 N: 3208] (15166)
  • [2013-11-20 7:56]

Hi,
wow..amazing species, I never seen before. So much interesting notes for these tiny beetle. Good find and well captured. yes, the WS image gives their habitat and this one is very good filling the frame. tfs.
nagraj.v

Hi Himanshu,
really interesting, incredible photo. I haven't seen such a situation before. Perfect point of view. Excellent presentation.
Thanks for sharing,
Maciek

Namaste Himanshu,
Haven't seen before.Nice to know about it.Good NOTE.
Thanks for sharing,
Regards,
Srikumar

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2013-11-20 11:46]

A very very interesting pic,i never seen something of similar before.And a great work too,whit the precious WS to understand better the situation.2 excellent pics for a magnificent and useful post,i like it! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Hello Himanshu,
照的清晰 很漂亮的甲蟲
一大群聚在一起很新奇
就像有人說得大就是美 多也是美
構圖美麗 背景深遂
謝謝分享
STONE

Very interesting presentation Himanshu! Impressive photos with very good composition, wonderful lighting and good sharpness
Regards,
Christodoulos

  • Great 
  • aruntp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 590 W: 1 N: 357] (5379)
  • [2013-11-20 22:43]

really beautiful presentation of beetles. interesting silvery colors on it. good work. tfs.

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2013-11-21 7:15]

Hello Himanshu,
Very interesting posting at first! I never had seen these creatures before.. Amazing flock-behaviour too. I had to look on internet to read that they are quite tiny. Interesting picture in the WS too. Thanks a lot
Anne

Ciao Himanshu. Interesting graphic/metallic results.

Roberto

WOW fascinating, never saw this befor in my life. I bet the fish love eating these!!! Your presentation is pure art!! Looked like oil droplets before i qued in! TFS!! Really enjoyed this

  • Great 
  • Chiza Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 133 W: 0 N: 474] (5351)
  • [2013-11-29 18:40]

Hola Himanshu; impresionante esta toma, no soy muy aficionado a los insectos pero esta toma me gusta por su composición y detalles de la especie...saludos.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF