aquatic entomology exam 1

ephemeroptera

mayflies

odonata

dragonfies & damselflies

plecoptera

stoneflies

hemiptera

true bugs (giant waterbugs)

early aquatic entomologists:

• thomas say

• benjamin walsh

• theodore gordon

generalized adult insects have:

• external skeleton

• antennae

• sucking or chewing mouthparts

• 3 pairs of legs

holometabolous

insects grow from larvae to adult

hemimetabolous

insects grow larger, and add new features when they reach adulthood

insect metamorphosis:

egg → niad → subimago → imago

generalized naiad mayfly:

• 1 tarsal claw

• look different from adult

• antennae

• chewing or sucking mouthparts

• abdominal gills

• 2-3 tails

generalized naiad stonefly:

• 2 tarsal claws

• branched gills

• chewing mouthparts

• 2 cerci

lotic habitats:

• flowing water system

• perennial (flows continuously throughout the year) or intermittent (flow at certain times, dry at other times)

• two zones: erosional & depositional

lentic habitats:

• still water system

• ex: lakes, ponds, and swamps

• three zones:

  • littoral: plants

  • limnetic: low light

  • profundal: no light

macrovore herbivores

• vascular plants

• filamentous algae

• chew food and are obligate

microvore herbivores

• suspension feeders

• bottom feeders

macrovore carnivores

• attack insects, crustaceans, worms, and fish

• cannibalistic

• chewing or sucking mouthparts

microvore carnivores

• omnivore-detritivores - eat plants, animals, and detritus (dead organic matter)

• suspension feeders (food particles suspended in water)

• zooplankton feeders

• non-filter feeders

aeropneustic insects

• partially or fully submerged

• breathe atmospheric oxygen

• have functional spiracles

• found in numerous environments

surface air breathers

• submerged or partially submerged most of the time

• continual contact and tube breathers

  • tubes and thoracic respiratory horns

  • tips are unwettable or have unwettable hair

periodic-contact or air storage breathers

• live submerged but surface to obtain air

• carry their air supply under water

• capture an air bubble

  • beneath folded wings

  • stored internally in trachea

  • use body hairs to create a plastron (organ that allows them to breathe underwater w/o coming up to surface)

• endophytic breathers

hydropneustic insects

• submerged continuously

• use dissolved O2

• limited by dissolved O2 levels in water

• can be cutaneous or spiracular

underwing chamber breathers

• predaceous diving beetle

• giant water bug

plastron users

• water boatman

• back swimmer