Mussels & Diving Beetles

1. By: Nick and Justin Mussels & Diving Beetles

2. Mussels

3. Mussels Freshwater mussels live in sand and gravel at the bottom of rivers and streams. Few species of mussels are accustomed to the quiet water and muddy depths of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

4. Mussels (cont.) Food drifts to mussels, unlike other animals. Mainly tiny plants and animals called plankton drift to them. By drawing water inside their shells through a siphon, their gills filter out food and take in oxygen.

5. Mussels (cont.) Mussels usually stay in the same spot, but a special “foot” helps them burrow and allows limited travel if disturbed by floods or drought. The foot also helps anchor them against strong currents and may prevent animals from trying to eat them. A mussel's shell, however, provides its main protection from predators. Their hard, calcium-based shells consist of two halves joined by a hinge.

6. Diving Beetles

7. Diving Beetles • Diving beetles are vicious organisms that not only are in water but are in the air flying.

8. Diving Beetles (cont.) • Diving beetles go on land in the spring • They crawl into the sun to dry their wing cases • Once they are completely dry they can fly

9. Diving Beetle Larvae • Great Diving Beetle larvae will eat anything they can catch. Their favorite prey includes tadpoles and any other insects within reach. They will eat other Great Diving Beetle larvae. Large larvae in the final stage before pupation are a good size to even catch and eat small fish.

10. Bibliography • http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river/fwmussel.html • Wikipedia.com • http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/successn/gdb.html