Water Beetles

Beetles are differentiated from bugs by having the first pair of wings developed into armored shields, which protect the second pair of wings and the soft body. They can still fly with their second pair of wings, which fold up out of sight when not in use. Only adults are shown here.

Water Scavenger Beetle

Water Scavenger Beetle
Hydrophilus triangularis
to 1.3"

Adults feed mainly on plant matter; larvae are carnivorous. Other diving beetles are predatory.



Whirligig Beetle

Whirligig Beetle
Dineutes spp.
to 1/2"

Whirligigs are generally found skating along the surface, although they are also good divers and fliers.


clouds

In a coastal area like New Jersey, the dominant winds are created by differential warming of the land and sea by the sun. Air warms over the hotter land and rises, and cool air from over the sea sweeps in underneath to replace it. These on-shore winds build over the course of the day, and so the waves they induce also build over the course of the day, then die down overnight.

I have found that the best diving conditions in New Jersey are either early morning or night. This is when the daily cycle of wave heights is at its lowest. Fortunately, the time restrictions on the inlets and beaches usually coincide with this.

Printed from njscuba.net