1PHC 6937: Water BiologyAquatic InsectsAquatic InsectsTaxonomy, Ecology & BioControl Case StudyDr. Jim Cuda, Associate ProfessorDepartment of Entomology and Nematology352-392-1901 x126 [email protected] Area: Biological Control of Aquatic & Terrestrial WeedsReference: Merritt, R. W., K. W. Cummins, and M.B. Berg (eds.). 2007.An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America, 4th edition.Topics• Introduction• Overview of Aquatic Insect Taxa• Habitat Classification and Terminology• Example of Trophic Organization and Function− Hydrilla BioControl Case Study• Questions?Topics• Introduction• Overview of Aquatic Insect Taxa• Habitat Classification and Terminology• Break• Example of Trophic Organization andFunction− Hydrilla BioControl Case Study• Questions?2May Flies Stop Motorists “Lawrence Rutz stops his truck on the westchannel bridge at LaCrosse, WI, yesterdayto clear mayflies from the front of thevehicle. The insects got so thick theyobstructed the view of the driver, cloggedradiators, and made the roadway of thebridge slippery.”Chicago Daily NewsJuly 8, 1946Why Study Aquatic InsectCommunities?• Basic research on population dynamics– Predator-prey interactions– Trophic relationships– Competition studies• Applied research (Pest Management)– Control of human and animal pests(e.g., mosquitoes, black flies, horse flies)– Pollution studies(e.g., mayfly naiads, moth fly larvae)– Biological control of aquatic weeds(e.g., alligatorweed, water hyacinth, Hydrilla, andHygrophila)Life History Adaptations for AquaticExistence• Osmoregulation–Wax layer–Excretion• Gas exchange–Atmosphere–Plant breathers–Temporary & Permanent Air Stores–Tracheal Gills–Oxygen transport (adults)–Hemoglobin• Temperature–Thermal death 30 to 40o C3Topics• Introduction• Overview of Aquatic Insect Taxa• Habitat Classification and Terminology• Break• Example of Trophic Organization andFunction− Hydrilla BioControl Case Study• Questions?Higher Classification Scheme• Phylum Arthropoda – Class Insecta (Insects)– Subclass Apterygota (w/o Wings)• Order Collembola (Springtails)– Subclass Pterygota (w/ Wings)• Infraclass Paleoptera (Wings cannot twist)– Order Ephemeroptera * (Mayflies)– Order Odonata * (Dragonflies & Damselflies)• Infraclass Neoptera (Wings can twist at base)– Division Exopterygota (Wings develop ext.)• Order Pleocoptera *(Stoneflies)• Order Hemiptera (True Bugs & Hoppers)Classification Scheme (cont’d)– Subclass Pterygota• Infraclass Neoptera– Division Endopterygota (Wings develop int.)• Order Neuroptera (Dobsonflies, etc.)• Order Trichoptera * (Caddisflies)• Order Lepidoptera (Moths)• Order Coleoptera (Beetles)• Order Hymenoptera (Wasps)• Order Diptera (Moth flies, Mosquitoes,Midges)* Entirely aquatic4Order Collembola- Springtails• Small Size• Antennae Short• Simple Eyes• Presence of ForkedAbdominal Appendage• Chewing/Stylet Mouthparts• Detrivores• Simple Metamorphosis– Immatures and Adults Live inSame Habitat– Primitively WinglessPhoto Credit: S. Hopkinwww.abdn.ac.uk/ rhynie/collembolan.htmOrder Ephemeroptera- Mayflies• Small to Medium Size• Antennae Bristle-like• 2 to 3 Thread-like Tails• Nymphs (Naiads) w/Abdominal Gills• Wings Triangular &Held Upright at Rest• Chewing Mouthparts• Detrivores• Simple Metamorphosis– Molt as Winged AdultsPhoto Credit: G. FirebaughOrder Odonata- Dragon- & Damselflies• Medium to Large Size• Large Compound Eyes• Antennae Bristle-like• Chewing Mouthparts• Nymphs (Naiads) w/Abdominal or RectalGills• Wings Elongate & HeldDorsally or Laterally atRest• Predaceous• Simple MetamorphosisPhoto Credit: P. Myers5Order Plecoptera- Stoneflies• Small to Medium Size• Antennae Long, Slender• Chewing Mouthparts• Membranous WingsFolded Flat Over Body• Body Soft, Flattened• Cerci Present• Omnivores• Branched Gills on Thorax• Simple MetamorphosisPhoto Credit: S. Houston & T. MurrayOrder Hemiptera- True Bugs• Small to Large Size• Antennae Bristle-like• Piercing Mouthparts• Wings Membranous atApex• Body Slender to Oval• Raptorial Front Legs• Predaceous• Breathing Tube or AirBubble• Simple MetamorphosisPhoto Credit: www.cals.ncsu.edu Giant Water Bug OutbreakThe invasion of the giant water bugThe invasion of the giant water bugCustomers stomp and cringe as swarms cover a Pasco shoppingCustomers stomp and cringe as swarms cover a Pasco shoppingplaza.plaza.They're huge, creepy - and crunchy in sauce.They're huge, creepy - and crunchy in sauce.By ALEX LEARY, Times Staff WriterBy ALEX LEARY, Times Staff Writer© St. Petersburg Times© St. Petersburg Timespublished June 21, 2003published June 21, 2003Electric Light Bug, Lethocerus sp.6Order Neuroptera- Dobsonflies, etc.• Small to Large Size• Antennae Long, Slender• Chewing Mouthparts• Wings Membranous w/Numerous Cross Veins– Held Roof-like Over Body• Lateral Abdominal Gills• Predaceous• Complete MetamorphosisPhoto Credit: www.cals.ncsu.edu Order Trichoptera- Caddisflies• Small to Medium Size• Antennae Long, Slender• Chewing Mouthparts• Wings Hairy, w/ Scales– Held Roof-like Over Body• Larvae Caterpillar- like– Construct Cases• Omnivorous• Complete MetamorphosisPhoto Credits: J. Hodges & T. Murray Order Lepidoptera- Moths• Small to Medium Size• Antennae Variable• Sucking (A) /ChewingMouthparts (L)• Scales on Wings• Respiration Variable– Cutaneous, Air Bubble,Tracheal Gills• Phytophagous• Complete MetamorphosisWaterlily leafcutter, Synclita obliteralis (Lep.: Crambidae)7Order Coleoptera- Beetles• Small to Large Size• Antennae Variable• Chewing Mouthparts• Hardened Wings (Elytra)• Respiration Variable– Plastron, Air Bubble,Abdominal Gills• Predaceous• Complete MetamorphosisPhoto Credit: S. Boucher Order Hymenoptera- Wasps• Small in Size• Antennae Long• Chewing Mouthparts• Membranous Wings• Respiration Variable– Air Bubble, Cutaneous• Parasitic• Complete MetamorphosisPhoto Credit: P. Coon Order Diptera- Flies• Small to Medium Size• Antennae Variable• Sucking / ChewingMouthparts• 1 Pair MembranousWings• Respiration Variable– Cutaneous, Air Tubes• Omnivorous• Complete MetamorphosisPhoto Credit: A. Wild & J. Neuswanger8Hygrophila Survey 200705101520253035Coleo pte ra Lep idopter a Dipte ra Odonata Hem ipte ra Tricho pte